War's Medical Miracles and Who Gets to Use Them
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Like other wars, the war in Iraq has produced its share of medical miracles that help repay the sacrifices made by wounded veterans. But some involve high technology that is very expensive. On this rebroadcast of today's To the Point, we hear about some developments, who pays to make it available and how it's decided which veterans qualify. Also, civil rights cases are in the spotlight as President Obama closes in on a successor to Supreme Court Justice David Souter. On Reporter's Notebook, a film festival devoted to celebrating the successes and sacrifices of American soldiers.
Making News
Civil Rights in Focus as Obama Closes in on Souter Successor ()
Tomorrow, it's back to work for the US Supreme Court
with this session's most important cases still to be decided. It will
be Justice David Souter's last opportunity to participate, and
President Obama wants his replacement seated before next year's session
begins in the Fall. Joan Biskupic covers the Court for USA Today.
Guests:
- Joan Biskupic: Reporter, USA Today
Reporter's Notebook
How Soldiers are Memorialized in Popular Culture ()
During the early days of Hollywood and into the ‘50's, most war films celebrated the military and the heroism of American soldiers. Times have changed, so have the movies. The GI Film Festival, created to renew a sense of appreciation for military service, took place two weeks ago and was formally opened by John McCain. It's the creation of Brandon Millett, a civilian whose wife and festival-co-founder Laura graduated from West Point.
Guests:
- Brandon Millett: Co-founder, GI Film Festival
Main Topic
War's Medical Miracles and Who Gets to Use Them ()
Wars have been hugely important for medical science that saves lives. In contrast to Vietnam, 90% of the wounded are coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan. That's led to renewed focus on repaying their sacrifices by making their lives better, despite disabilities caused by lost limbs and spinal chord injuries. Innovations include a wheelchair that climbs stairs. But like other new, high-tech inventions, it's very expensive. We talk with the inventor, a veteran who has one and others about what it takes and what it costs to restore a semblance of normal life.
Guests:
- Dean Kamen: Founder, DEKA Research and Development Corporation
- Gary Linfoot: Chief Warrant Officer 4, US Army's 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment
- Michael Mahler: Deputy Chief of Staff, Veterans Affairs' Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System
- Gary Lawson: Vice President, America's Huey Foundation
Underwriters
Which Way L.A.? is made possible in part by the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, the Nathan Cummings Foundation, and the John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation, which supports study and research into policy issues of the Los Angeles region.
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