What Else They Don't Tell
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“DON'T ASK DON'T TELL” prohibits LGBT men and women from serving openly in the U.S. military. But what supporters of the policy may not have foreseen was the drastic effect “not telling” would have on soldiers’ health. It turns out that DADT is compromising patient/healthcare-provider relationships. Military medical personnel, including doctors, can be compelled to reveal
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information about their patients to military commanders;
this has
created the perception among some soldiers that they should keep their
mouths shut about aspects of their health, too. It is imperative that
soldiers are encouraged to be as honest with their doctors as possible
in order for them to get the help they need. In November 2009, the
American Medical Association (AMA) passed a resolution calling for a
full repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” with support from nearly all
members of the association (including uniformed personnel). (—MA) |
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