Magellan Health Services, U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis and Health Care Industry Leaders Discuss Program to Hire and Institute Support Programs for Veterans Injured During Service
WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Health care industry executives and government and military leaders will meet today to launch a new initiative called Hero Health Hire, a program to employ, train and support "Wounded Warriors," United States veterans with an injury or illness resulting from their military service. The program will be discussed at the Hero Health Hire Employment Summit this morning, hosted by the Honorable Hilda L. Solis, U.S. Secretary of Labor, and Magellan Health Services (NASDAQ: MGLN) at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C.
"Our returning veterans face a number of challenges transitioning into the civilian workforce, and it can be even more difficult for those men and women who have been wounded during their service," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "I am pleased to join today with leaders in the health care industry to launch this important effort to create a pathway for sustainable and gainful employment to help these brave men and women thrive."
"Our nation's veterans deserve the very best when they return home, particularly those Wounded Warriors who have made such a significant sacrifice for our country," said René Lerer, M.D., chairman and CEO of Magellan Health Services. "The Hero Health Hire reflects a commitment from leaders in our industry to make our workplaces more accessible for these individuals and assist them in their transition as they overcome unique challenges."
It's estimated that more than 40,000 service members have been injured in the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, and a recent study suggests that approximately one in five new veterans experience symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or major depression. Also, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate for veterans who served in the military at any time since September 2001 was 11.5 percent in 2010, higher than the national unemployment rate of 9.6 percent in 2010.
Health care continues to be one of the largest and fastest growing industries in the country, expected to add more than 3.2 million jobs between 2008 and 2018 — more than any other industry in the United States. While military health care providers can make a natural transition into the civilian health care industry after leaving the service, there are also a number of non-provider health care roles in information technology, customer service, accounting, project management and other disciplines that require the excellent teamwork, leadership and critical thinking skills that many veterans possess.
Hero Health Hire Employment Summit attendees will discuss recruitment practices for veterans and Wounded Warriors, challenges for these individuals as they transition into the civilian workforces, the support that Wounded Warriors and employers need for their efforts, best practices and next steps for instituting recruitment and retention processes at participating companies.
Magellan to Provide Employee Assistance Program for Wounded Warriors
As part of the Hero Health Hire initiative, Magellan Health Services has created an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that addresses the needs of Wounded Warriors who are transitioning into the workplace, and will provide this EAP free of charge for any Wounded Warrior recruited as part of the Hero Health Hire program. Magellan has also created a toolkit detailing how to create and maintain an accommodating work environment (virtual or physical) and program of employment that capitalizes on the skills of these veterans, as well as specific strategies to aid their successful transition.
For more information about the program, the launch event, or joining the Hero Health Hire initiative, please visit www.HeroHealthHire.com or follow the program on Twitter at @HeroHealthHire.
About Magellan Health Services: Headquartered in Avon, Conn., Magellan Health Services, Inc., is a leading specialty health care management organization with expertise in managing behavioral health, radiology and specialty pharmaceuticals, as well as public sector pharmacy benefits programs. Magellan delivers innovative solutions to improve quality outcomes and optimize the cost of care for those we serve. Magellan's customers include health plans, employers and government agencies, serving approximately 31.5 million members in our behavioral health business, 18.5 million members in our radiology benefits management segment, and 4.9 million members in our medical pharmacy management product. In addition, the specialty pharmaceutical segment serves 41 health plans and several pharmaceutical manufacturers and state Medicaid programs. The Company's Medicaid Administration segment serves 25 states and the District of Columbia. For more information, visit www.MagellanHealth.com.
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Magellan Health Services, Inc.
Chris Pearsall, 860-839-9613
Media@MagellanHealth.com
Source: Magellan Health Services, Inc.
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