Baldwin Calls for Answers on Delayed Care for Soldiers Hurt in Iran War

Senator demands military review policies for evaluating and treating traumatic brain injuries among returning service members.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 7:21pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A quiet, cinematic painting of a lone military hospital bed bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conveying a sense of solitude and the weight of unresolved medical issues for injured soldiers.As the military grapples with how to best care for soldiers returning from the Iran war with traumatic brain injuries, this somber scene reflects the isolation and uncertainty many injured service members face.Today in Milwaukee

Sen. Tammy Baldwin is calling on the U.S. Defense Health Agency to investigate reports that soldiers injured in the Iran war, including some from Wisconsin, are facing delays in receiving proper medical evaluation and care at Fort Hood after returning from the Middle East. Baldwin cited concerns about the agency's policies for diagnosing and treating traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) among returning service members.

Why it matters

Brain injuries related to blast exposures have been a major issue for U.S. troops in recent conflicts, with an estimated 20% of combat injuries from Iraq and Afghanistan involving TBIs. Baldwin is concerned the military is not doing enough to prevent similar failures in care for soldiers injured in the Iran war.

The details

According to Baldwin's letter, many injured soldiers from the March 1 drone attack on a facility in Kuwait could not be evacuated for several days due to ongoing fighting, and have since faced delays in receiving proper evaluation and seeing medical specialists like neurologists at Fort Hood. At least two service members from Wisconsin have been affected by the delayed care.

  • On March 1, a drone attack on a military facility in Kuwait killed six service members and seriously injured dozens more.
  • Last week, Sen. Baldwin spoke with Defense Health Agency leadership to demand affected service members' cases be reviewed and expedited.

The players

Sen. Tammy Baldwin

A U.S. Senator from Wisconsin who is calling on the military to investigate reports of delayed care for soldiers injured in the Iran war.

Vice Adm. Darin K. Via

The head of the U.S. Defense Health Agency, which Baldwin is urging to review its policies for evaluating and treating traumatic brain injuries among returning service members.

103rd Sustainment Command

An Army Reserve unit based in Wisconsin whose members were injured in the March 1 drone attack in Kuwait.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I have heard directly from constituents serving in our military who were injured in the war and are now experiencing delays and gaps in medical care at Ft. Hood. I believe that you would agree that such a delay of care is unacceptable, and I urge you to ensure that all servicemembers injured in conflict with Iran receive appropriate and timely medical care — including necessary care for traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).”

— Sen. Tammy Baldwin, U.S. Senator

What’s next

The Defense Health Agency has said it will review the cases of the affected service members and expedite their care. Sen. Baldwin will continue to monitor the situation and push for improvements in the military's policies for diagnosing and treating traumatic brain injuries.

The takeaway

This case highlights ongoing challenges the military faces in providing timely and adequate care for service members suffering from the 'signature injuries' of recent conflicts, like traumatic brain injuries. It raises questions about whether the Defense Health Agency is doing enough to learn from past failures and ensure no injured soldier 'falls through the cracks' in the future.