Sad really and we expect the governmetn to run our medical

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ChopperDoc
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Sad really and we expect the governmetn to run our medical

Post by ChopperDoc » Mon Jun 30, 2014 9:49 am

http://sofrep.com/35947/state-departmen ... ontractor/

On December 21st, 2011 Matthew Wojciechowski, a member of the CIA’s paramilitary team (and former Navy SEAL) experienced crippling chest pain while conducting operations in the Middle East. His team completed their mission and afterwards took him to a local hospital, where he was (mis-)diagnosed with heartburn.

His team made this decision because of Wojciechowski’s status with the CIA – he was not on permanent duty with the Agency – and ultimately left him to fend for himself with the locals instead of using the American medical professionals available at the US Embassy. The US Embassy refused to help because of Wojciechowski’s temporary status.

According to Wojciechowski, his team leader at the CIA did nothing to help with his medical condition, with the exception of requesting that the Embassy medical staff conduct a physical fitness test. Wojciechowski was asked to run up and down a series of stairs, his heart rate was taken, and then he was cleared for duty.

According to Matthew, he was still in constant pain and in disbelief that no US healthcare professional within the US Embassy would help him.

Due to extreme ongoing chest pains, he would be forced off the next operational movement with his team and immediately flown home to the US to seek medical treatment.

*****

It may be shocking to you that Americans protecting fellow Americans would be turned away from treatment, but these are the complexities and very real risks associated with American security contracting overseas. Regulations and poor leadership at the State Department often result in contractors receiving substandard medical care, suffering a much worse fate than their full-time counterparts.

More at the link - including emails to Matthew Wojciechowski stating that he might not be covered at all for treatment, even in the US.

Read more: http://sofrep.com/35947/state-departmen ... z3688VpJZZ
"You rarely rise to the occasion, you usually just sink to your lowest level of training."

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Re: Sad really and we expect the governmetn to run our medic

Post by Frailer » Mon Jun 30, 2014 11:58 am

I read the whole article.

Sounds to me like the guy (who is, BTW, a private contractor, *not* a CIA agent) is asking the government to provide his health care.

The State Department isn't responsible for this guy--his employer is. One of the reason these jobs pay so well is the level of risk involved.

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Re: Sad really and we expect the governmetn to run our medic

Post by ChopperDoc » Mon Jun 30, 2014 1:57 pm

Frailer wrote:I read the whole article.

Sounds to me like the guy (who is, BTW, a private contractor, *not* a CIA agent) is asking the government to provide his health care.

The State Department isn't responsible for this guy--his employer is. One of the reason these jobs pay so well is the level of risk involved.

He is trying to get Worker's Comp to pay for it, and they may not. I completely agree with the the conclusions from the article:

Conclusion
US Government agencies and companies under contract with the government need to ensure that their contractors are covered in the event that a contractor is severely disabled or killed while working for them overseas. Getting a competitive bid is an acceptable practice, but coverage should be clear and concise and shared with the contractors and their families.

Security contractors need also to take responsibility and ask to receive a copy of their insurance packages from their government or company sponsors. File a copy away for future records and get it reviewed by an insurance professional and lawyer.



Read more: http://sofrep.com/35947/state-departmen ... z3698oi0oa
"You rarely rise to the occasion, you usually just sink to your lowest level of training."

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