TARTAGLIONE: HIGH QUALITY CARE IS AVAILABLE FOR INJURED VETERANS

HARRISBURG, January 25, 2008  – State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione was joined today by House Speaker Dennis O’Brien and Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter in her effort draw attention to the high quality care now available in the city for seriously injured veterans.

     Tartaglione, a former patient at Magee Rehabilitation Hospital, joined administrators at the hospital for a news conference that featured an injured Air Force pilot who praised the top-quality care that he received.

     “I believe we are fortunate that right here in Philadelphia, we have a first-rate rehabilitation facility eager to do their part for our soldiers and our their families,” Tartaglione said. “As the war continues and more injured soldiers return home, insuring that they can receive care from private facilities with specialized treatment programs, like Magee, is the right thing to do.”

     Last year, Tartaglione wrote to numerous state, federal and local officials urging them to help publicize the care available at Magee for injured veterans.

     Speaker O’Brien and Mayor Nutter both offered their support for the effort, and praised Tartaglione for taking the lead.

     Capt. Brian LaFreda, who was paralyzed in the crash of his aircraft, said more veterans should be aware that Magee was approved by the Veteran’s Administration to provide care for soldiers returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan.

“I will aways be grateful to Magee and the help they provided me,” he said.

Tartaglione, who was injured in an accident four years ago, became a patient at Magee and, eventually, a board member.

Magee has been named by U.S. News and World Report as one of the top rehabilitation facilities in the country, with renown expertise in helping patients rebuild their lives, not only physically but emotionally and professionally as well.

“The young men and women in our armed services represent the best this nation has to offer,” Tartaglione said. “We have to make sure that we offer them our best in return. When it comes to rehabilitation from serious injury, that means Magee.”