HJR 30-POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS INJURY  8:15:09 AM VICE CHAIR KELLER announced that the first order of business would be HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 30, Urging the American Psychiatric Association to change the term "post-traumatic stress disorder" or "PTSD" to "post-traumatic stress injury" or "PTSI"; and urging the governor to support usage of the term "post-traumatic stress injury." [Before the committee was CSHJR 30(MLV).] 8:15:21 AM REPRESENTATIVE BOB HERRON, Alaska State Legislature, presented HJR 30 as prime sponsor. He relayed that the proposed resolution is an issue affecting many people, and it would serve as a conversation starter. He advised that post-traumatic stress is caused by an event, such as combat, rape, child abuse, or other traumas. He said that the symptoms include flashbacks, nightmares, insomnia, and suicidal thoughts. REPRESENTATIVE HERRON offered that to some people the current label of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) represents a stigma suggesting an untreatable condition even though it is a treatable injury. The implied request within HJR 30 is for the American Psychiatric Association (APA) to consider changing the term "post-traumatic stress disorder" to "post-traumatic stress injury" in the next revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). He conceded that opinions exist on both sides of the issue of changing the terminology and reiterated that the proposed legislation will encourage conversation about an important issue. He added that HJR 30 urges the Alaska Congressional Delegation to champion the terminology in ways it sees fit, and it would designate June 27, 2016 the PTSI Awareness Day. REPRESENTATIVE HERRON concluded by saying that he is in support of an amendment to be offered by Representative Lynn, and advised that this resolution is not about changing the current award qualifications for a Purple Heart. 8:18:07 AM ROBERT DOEHL, Deputy Commissioner, Office of the Commissioner/Adjutant General, Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs (DMVA), identified himself as a retired colonel, and testified in support of HJR 30 in that it addresses a condition affecting thousands of Alaskans. He relayed that of the 74,000 veterans in Alaska, 57,000 have seen combat, and past experience has revealed that as many as 30 percent, or 19,000 Alaskans, are likely to suffer from some degree of post- traumatic combat stress. He went on to say that PTSD does not only impact veterans as tens of thousands of family members are also affected by injuries to their loved ones and the subsequent disruption to daily life. He said that the [19,000] he mentioned excludes the tens of thousands of active military serving in Alaska and their families. 8:19:25 AM COLONEL DOEHL related that within his career, he often deals with those struggling with PTSI - beginning when he was an 18- year-old infantry medic through to his retirement as a vice wing commander a few decades later. As an attorney, he related, while at the U.S. Department of Justice, he worked with hundreds of PTSI survivors dealing with aviation accidents, and while in the State of Alaska, Office of the Attorney General, he worked with sexual assault survivors. Speaking from first-hand experience, he said he has seen that PTSI takes a continuous devastating toll if not treated, and asserted that many victims can't hold down jobs, become estranged from their families, or lose their lives. COLONEL DOEHL opined that the term "disorder" implies a deviation from normal and exacerbates a stigma that discourages diagnosis and treatment. He stated that PTSI does not arise from a genetic condition or from personal values and decisions, and that PTSI is not a disorder in an individual but the result of an externally imposed event or events. He added that PTSI is a natural response to an unnatural situation and declared that the time was well past to rename the condition to accurately reflect that it is caused by an external force. COLONEL DOEHL referred to the House Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs hearing on HJR 30 [March 22, 2016], in which Representative Lynn voiced concern that some veterans may claim PTSD as an excuse for their actions. He remarked that when there is a battle field injury, it is inexcusable not to provide assistance to a downed battle buddy. He said, to the extent calling post-traumatic stress a disorder discourages calling for aid, changing it from "disorder" to "injury" makes it clear the appropriate action is treatment - not just living with it or making it an excuse. He went on to say that Canada, shortly after [the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001], changed its military regulations to refer to post-traumatic stress as an injury, not a disorder to encourage seeking treatment. COLONEL DOEHL, on behalf of the DMVA, welcomed the efforts of the House Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs on this matter of vital importance to the state's veterans, service members, their families, and all of society. 8:21:29 AM REPRESENTATIVE KELLER after ascertaining no one further wished to testify, closed public testimony on HJR 30. 8:22:01 AM REPRESENTATIVE SPOHNHOLZ related that she serves on the House Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs and had the privilege of listening to the testimony of Colonel Doehl and leaders from [the nonprofit] Honor for All. She related that she was impressed with their commitment in helping people recognize that PTSI is something from which one suffers and does not indicate something is intrinsically wrong with the victim. She offered that if changing the title from "disorder" to "injury" can help any of our military veterans seek the services to help them recover from it, then she thinks that would be fantastic. REPRESENTATIVE SPOHNHOLZ relayed her personal experience in adopting a child who underwent a great deal of trauma as a young person who has experienced many of the symptoms mentioned, including flashbacks, hypervigilance, nightmares, emotional numbness, and anxiety. Through treatment, her daughter has been able to recover from many of the symptoms. She added that while her daughter will probably never be the person she would have been had she not experienced the trauma, that personal experience for Representative Spohnholz has been a great example that treatment can help people overcome the effects of PTSI and become healthy and happy people. She expressed her desire for the military veterans, who have experienced traumatic stress as a result of their service to the country, to be able to find that kind of healing and happiness. She added that it is a dignity they deserve and she is excited to support the proposed resolution. 8:23:49 AM REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO made a motion to adopt Amendment 1 [labeled 29-LS1483\N.1, Shutts, 3/28/16], which read: Page 3, following line 13: Insert new material to read: "WHEREAS this resolution does not advocate changing the current qualifications for the Purple Heart; and" REPRESENTATIVE KELLER objected for purposes of discussion. 8:24:26 AM REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO mentioned that Amendment 1 adds a section on page 3 that read: "Whereas this resolution does not advocate changing the current qualifications for the Purple Heart. He offered his understanding that the sponsor agrees with the proposed amendment. He relayed that between his two older brothers, both Vietnam War veterans, are four Purple Hearts, a Silver Star awarded by the U.S. Marine Corp, and a U.S. Navy Commendation Medal. He stated that he appreciates their service. 8:25:53 AM REPRESENTATIVE KELLER removed his objection. There being no further objection, Amendment 1 was adopted. 8:26:06 AM REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO moved to report CSHJR 30(MLV), as amended, out of committee with individual recommendations and zero fiscal note. 8:26:31 AM REPRESENTATIVE KELLER objected. He stated he is sympathetic to the issue but disagrees with using the word "injury" because it muddies the meaning of the term and opens the door to legal interpretation. He removed his objection. There being no further objection, CSHJR 30(STA) was reported out of the House State Affairs Standing Committee.