GAO Randall Williamson

GAO: Despite Rampant VA Employee Health Care Fraud, Metrics Still ‘Flawed’

GAO Randall Williamson

In testimony to Congress last week, GAO said VA is using flawed clinical quality measures that do not accurately reflect reality due to incomplete data despite nationwide health care fraud committed by VA employees first exposed in 2014.

GAO director of healthcare Randall Williamson told Congress the 2013 clinical productivity metrics created by VA are seriously flawed. Williams recommended VA “expand its existing productivity metrics to track the productivity of all providers of care to veterans” to include contractors and advanced practice providers.

How novel? After 80 years, VA is being told to create performance metrics to ensure all health care services are recorded.

DOWNLOAD: GAO Report Exposing VA Productivity Problem

Presently, the statistical models formulated by the data do not accurately reflect the reality of health care administration in the agency.

Just think, after VA failed to protect veterans getting screwed by VA employees rigging the metrics to increase productivity numbers in 2014, VA has still not created accurate metrics to more properly measure performance at any VA facility.

The 2014 Wait List VA Employee Perpetrated Health Care Fraud

In 2014, CNN first exposed that health care fraud was being perpetrated by VA employees to boost performance numbers at Phoenix VA. That fraud resulted in the death of hundreds of veterans who died without access to guaranteed health care they were wrongly denied.

A nationwide investigation revealed the fraud scheme was a problem at most VA facilities where schedules used shadow schedules to shuffle veterans around without providing health care appointments regardless of the severity of the condition or illness.

RELATED: Embattled Phoenix VA Head Linked To Veteran Deaths Given Probation

Once exposed, Congress set in place numerous measures and billions in taxpayer dollars to improve the systems that allowed fraud to occur. Apparently, the measures are still not accurate and likely provide higher performance numbers than is warranted by reality.

RELATED: Falsified Wait Time Numbers Prevents Veterans Choice Access

Where did the money go that Congress allocated to fix that part of the problem?

The most blatant problem highlighted by Williamson matches the same problems of similar models created by Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA). In short, the agency rewards high quantity of patient processing while failing to account for patients’ treatments that are more intense and require more resources and time.

In VBA, veterans’ claims are processed as quickly as possible and metrics largely reward high quantity claims processing, which actively discourages correct claims processing of more complicated claims.

RELATED: Phoenix VA Hires Known Liar, Abuser To Run Veterans Choice

Likewise, metrics used to monitor clinicians also fails to account for high-intensity treatments that require more time and resources.

Four Highlights From GAO Report

The four major limitations highlighted by GAO:

Failure To Account For Clinicians 

Productivity metrics are not complete because they do not account for all providers or clinical services. Due to data systems limitations, the metrics do not capture all types of providers who deliver care at VAMCs, including contract physicians and advanced practice providers, such as nurse practitioners, serving as sole-providers. In addition, the metrics do not capture providers’ workload evaluating and managing hospitalized patients.

Recommendation

To improve the completeness and accuracy of VA’s productivity metrics and efficiency models and strengthen the monitoring of clinical productivity and efficiency VA-wide, the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs should direct the Undersecretary for Health to expand existing productivity metrics to track the productivity of all providers of care to veterans by, for example, including contract physicians who are not VA employees as well as advance practice providers acting as sole providers.

Intensity Not Measured 

Productivity metrics may not accurately reflect the intensity of clinical workload. A 2016 VA audit shows that VA providers do not always accurately code the intensity of—that is, the amount of effort needed to perform— clinical procedures or services. As a result, VA’s productivity metrics may not accurately reflect provider productivity, as differences between providers may represent coding inaccuracies rather than true productivity differences.

Recommendation

To improve the completeness and accuracy of VA’s productivity metrics and efficiency models and strengthen the monitoring of clinical productivity and efficiency VA-wide, the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs should direct the Undersecretary for Health to help ensure the accuracy of underlying staffing and workload data by, for example, developing training to all providers on coding clinical procedures.

Metrics Do Not Measure Need For Staffing Levels

Productivity metrics may not accurately reflect providers’ clinical staffing levels. Officials at five of the six selected VAMCs GAO visited reported that providers do not always accurately record the amount of time they spend performing clinical duties, as distinct from other duties.

Recommendation

To improve the completeness and accuracy of VA’s productivity metrics and efficiency models and strengthen the monitoring of clinical productivity and efficiency VA-wide, the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs should direct the Undersecretary for Health to develop a policy requiring VAMCs to monitor and improve clinical efficiency through a standard process, such as establishing performance standards based on VA’s efficiency models and developing a remediation plan for addressing clinical inefficiency.

Workload And Staffing Data Inaccurate

Efficiency models may also be adversely affected by inaccurate workload and staffing data. To the extent that the intensity and amount of providers’ clinical workload are inaccurately recorded, some of VA’s efficiency models examining VAMC utilization and expenditures may also be inaccurate. For example, the model that examines administrative efficiency requires accurate data on the amount of time VA providers spend on administrative tasks; if the time providers allocate to clinical, administrative, and other tasks is incorrect, the model may overstate or understate administrative efficiency.

Recommendation

To improve the completeness and accuracy of VA’s productivity metrics and efficiency models and strengthen the monitoring of clinical productivity and efficiency VA-wide, the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs should direct the Undersecretary for Health to establish an ongoing process to systematically review VAMCs’ remediation plans and ensure that VAMCs and Veterans Integrated Service Networks are successfully implementing remediation plans for addressing low clinical productivity and inefficiency.

Source: https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/gao-official-va-must-improve-clinician-productivity-tracking

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143 Comments

  1. Have a VA appointment in the a.m.with Mental health. Called me five times to confirm my appointment. After last visit to same clinic, I just can’t wait. My regular m.o., is to lay in bed trying to sleep, finally give up, get up, and fall asleep about an hour before I have to be there. @ANutterVet, you are part of the reasons this site is so damn good. As difficult as times are, not just Veterans issues, you are a pillar of strength.. Thank you for your diligent effort of informing so many Veterans of the true nature of the VA. God Bless you and your family. Goodnight…

  2. “Scientists Baffled By Man’s Incredible Ability To Fuck Up Every Time”
    The Onion

    BALTIMORE—Neurologists at Johns Hopkins University confirmed Monday they remain completely baffled by Rockville, MD resident Erik Collins, a man who possesses an extraordinary and previously undocumented ability to fuck everything up.

    According to Dr. William Moore, head of a research team studying exactly how Collins manages to drop the goddamn ball every single time, the 32-year-old sales associate represents a major conundrum for modern science.

    “We’ve never seen these cognitive abilities in a human subject before,” said Moore, adding that Collins invariably misses important appointments, fails to call loved ones on their birthdays, and runs out of gas at busy intersections. “Probability dictates that even the biggest fuckups should occasionally get things right, if only by accident. But not Erik.

    Collins reportedly first came to the scientific community’s attention late last year when, in a simple attempt to download pornography from the Internet, he somehow managed to crash a highly secure server in Fermilab’s particle physics department.

    After using powerful computer models to map the enormously complex series of fuckups necessary for a person to have accomplished this, researchers obtained the address of Collins’ Maryland home, and later tracked him down in an emergency room to which he had just been admitted following a lawn- mowing mishap.

    In their attempt to study the brain mechanisms required to perform such simple tasks with so little competence, researchers were unable to use standard neuroimaging techniques, as Collins inadvertently destroyed the lab’s $250,000 MRI machine by using a handheld video-game device during a routine cortical diagnostic.

    Full article at: “https://www.theonion.com/article/scientists-baffled-by-mans-incredible-ability-to-f-19422”

    1. I nominate Erik Collins to be Sen. John McCain’s brain surgeon. Make sure the operating table has plenty of video game controllers laying about and all the walls have large flat screens for keeping his attention peeled on the VA game called Tumor Trilogy. 🙂

  3. Say OldMarine,

    “Historians Find Evidence Of Nation’s Founding Lobbyists’ Campaign To Influence Constitution”
    The Onion
    July 19th, 2017

    “WASHINGTON—Drawing on a trove of letters, diaries, and itemized receipts recently donated by private collectors, historians from Georgetown University published new evidence on Wednesday of the Founding Lobbyists’ intense behind-the-scenes campaign to influence the U.S. Constitution.

    The documents reveal a concerted effort by America’s earliest corporate power brokers to curry favor with the Constitution’s framers during the 1787 Constitutional Convention all the way through the ratification of the Bill of Rights in 1791, with delegates having been pampered with gifts such as expensive pocket watches, casks of fine Caribbean molasses, and extravagant quail-hunting trips to the Province of Massachusetts Bay.”

    “Evidence also suggests that the original lobbyists were skilled in dampening opposition to their clients’ agendas. Recovered ledgers revealed that an early attempt at universal healthcare—via a welfare clause in Article IV—was voted down after an advocate for the Apothecaries Guild procured front-row duel tickets for the entire Pennsylvania delegation.”

    “In addition, personal letters from Thomas Paine and John Adams credit the introduction of the Second Amendment to representatives of the Musket Manufacturers Association, which funded a series of vicious attack broadsheets targeting anyone who spoke out against it, accusing critics of being tyrannical monarchists who harbored a secret plot to seize the colonies’ flintlocks.”

    Full Article at: “https://www.theonion.com/article/historians-find-evidence-nations-founding-lobbyist-56437”

  4. Notice – – – I just wanted you folks to know, that it is getting really hard to hold on. When I first started to receive healthcare from the VA, I was able to take my wife out, have dinner, go dancing, train my K9 Service Dog (there were NO COSTS that the VA incurred for the purchase and PTSD-Alert training for my Boy). I could go shopping all day, perform minor car repairs, had many hobbies, etc.

    And now, I lay in a hospital bed. Rely on my wife to help me. Can’t do update training with my Service Dog, can’t visit family or friends, and I’m not able to attend weddings or to grieve with others during the loss of a love one(s). Recently, one of my close, but older cousins, wanted me to see her before she passed away. I didn’t have the chance to say goodbye.

    So, before I travel on this unknown road in my life, I wanted to take the time to just say thank you to y’all. Everything is on its end. Don’t know what to expect. I’m really jumpy. Don’t want no VA employee to touch me. Been having visions or thoughts of hurting VA employees. I don’t like these feelings, but the VA employees are my enemy. Especially crooked and dirty Veterans. They are the worse.

    In my opinion, if things don’t start to change for the better, I believe that one day, a stressed Veteran will handle the VA, resulting in red fluid being on the floor. Hope not, but where there is NO ACCOUNTABILITY, there is corruption. Its as simple as that.

    I’m tired of being treated like I have no feelings, that my input doesn’t matter, and being used for statistical data. And, suffering so that the VA can make their numbers look good. I have so much to say, but I’m tired of running in circles. I’ve told my story over, and over.

    NO ONE with the knowledge, authority, and influence, cares to about me. Licensed Healthcare Workers (Nurses), told me that the VA is the worst healthcare party to deal with in obtaining help for Veterans. I got a raw deal, and only hope and wish, that it works out for the better for others.

    I have nothing left to give. VA either wrecked it, shot it down, could give a fuck, or totally ignore what I’m going through. And, to even continue to treat me with the medications that I was previously on. They dropped 2 of my previous prescriptions. And, there were managed, didn’t abuse them, and I always had additional refills lift on the original prescription.

    Keep up the good fight. The only fight that I have left is to grab one of these incompetent Doctors, wrap my fingers around the back of their head, then shove my thumbs into their eye sockets, and then proceed to forcefully scratch their fragile brain.

    The above are visions. Interpret this in any way you fucking want. Doesn’t matter anymore. If you can, stay away from the VA.

    NO ACCOUTABILITY = CORRUPTION (Jim Clement; a simple equation to add to your updated post).

    1. ANutterVet, In the deepest place of sorrow there is no time, no words that can comfort. xo

    2. Sometimes in our lives we need to find a mission that is worth the effort to go on. You need to pick yourself up and start getting ready for a pilgrimage to visit McCain’s grave in the near future so that you show him the respect that he so richly deserves. Imagine the moment when you can unzip your pants and let lose with that yellow salute.

      1. cj, ANutterVet, others, I was sent this in an email, maybe it give you a LOL
        I recently had to choose a new primary care doctor. After two visits & exhaustive lab tests, she said I was doing fairly well for my age of 70.
        A little concerned about that comment, I couldn’t resist asking her, ‘Do you think I’ll live to be 80?’
        She asked, ‘Do you smoke tobacco, or drink beer, wine or hard liquor?’
        ‘Oh no,’ I replied. ‘I’m not doing drugs, either!’
        Then she asked, ‘Do you eat rib-eye steaks & barbecued ribs?’
        ‘I said, ‘Not much My former doctor said that all red meat is very unhealthy!’
        ‘Do you spend a lot of time in the sun, like playing golf, boating, sailing, hiking, or bicycling?’
        ‘No, I don’t,’ I said.
        She asked, ‘Do you gamble, drive fast cars, or have a lot of sex?’
        ‘No,’ I said
        She looked at me & said, ‘Then, why do you even give a sh-t?’

  5. From the Office of Special Council.

    From a recent report

    “The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) received complaints alleging that officials inthe U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program (ICITAP) attempted to influence veterans to withdraw from competition for two vacant competitive service positions in 2015.

    During OSC’s investigation, we received additional allegations that DOJ re-advertised these positions in 2016 with a Selective Placement Factor (SPF) that may have been designed to prevent the same veterans from qualifying for the positions.

    OSC investigated these allegations to determine whether they are prohibited personnel practices.

    1 OSC concludes that ICITAP officials attempted to influence candidates to withdraw from competition in violation of 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(5) and 5 C.F.R. §§ 4.3 and 330.1001. OSC also concludes that ICITAP officials violated 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(11) when they recommended an appointment in contravention of a veterans’ preference requirement.

    Full Report: “Report of Prohibited Personnel Practice”,
    OSC File Nos. MA-15-5942 and MA-16-0194
    Link: “https://osc.gov/Resources/PPP%20Report%20DOD-ICITAP%20(published).pdf”

    1. Just to point out those illegal actions taken to prevent hiring of Veterans were done in 2015 and 2016 during the Obama Administration and while Loretta Lynch was in charge of the DOJ.

  6. Hey with John McCain’s prior representation for Veterans concerning matters dealing with Veterans Health Care. Now would be a great time for him to stand up and receive the fruits of his labors and have the VA treat him for his current condition. Having been diagnosed with advanced stages of glioblastoma.

    After all shouldn’t he stand behind the VA he has strongly supported.

    Of course it would seriously decrease any chances of survival to less than half of what person receiving civilian health care treated for the same condition face.

    ” VA Patients’ Special Challenges Often Reduce Glioblastoma Survival”
    2013 Issues | Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) | News | November 2013 | Oncology

    “ATLANTA — Because of unique challenges faced by many veterans treated at VA, their median survival rate with Stage IV glioblastoma multiforme is half that reported by the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillancel Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) statistics.

    That’s according to a presentation by David Cory Adamson, MD, of the Durham, NC, VAMC at the recent Association of Veterans Administration Hematologists and Oncologists (AVAHO) meeting in Atlanta.

    “Clearly, veterans are not doing well in terms of getting therapies they might benefit from,” Adamson told U.S. Medicine.

    Median survival for veterans are 6.5 months, while one, two and five year survival rates are 26.8, 5.4, and 0.5%, respectively, according to a study published last year in the Journal of Neuro-Oncology.1

    “The tumor biology for veterans is not different than for everyone else, but the patients have different issues,” he said. “The longer survival rate seen in SEER probably results from complex therapy that is very challenging for veterans to receive — surgery, followed by radiation, followed by chemotherapy.”

    Economic and logistic issues likely compound physical complications for veterans, Adamson pointed out.

    “Because we’ve concentrated neurosurgery services in a few centers, many veterans travel a great distance to see us,” he said. “Veterans have more comorbidities that simply make it more difficult to progress through complex therapy for malignant gliomas. For patients with economic and other challenges, the treatment required to achieve the longer survival rate is likely too complex.”

    Even for patients who are able to undertake the complex course of therapy, the median survival rate is only one year, fairly comparable to civilian survival but much lower than most cancers. Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and lethal of malignant primary brain tumors. A Grade IV astrocytoma, a tumor originating in the star-shaped glial cells or astrocytes that make up the supportive tissue of the brain, GBM accounts for about 17% of all brain tumors.

    Treatment of Grade II astrocytoma, which may progress to glioblastoma, starts with surgery. Even at this stage, Adamson cautions that the tumors are difficult to surgically remove because of the difficulty distinguishing tumor from brain tissue and the tentacle-like projections common to their structure. “Ideally, a patient should have a complete resection upfront. The surgery is difficult, and sending a patient to someone comfortable doing it may be best,” he noted.

    Adamson does not recommend radiation following surgery for all patients at this stage. “It depends on the individual patient, their age and how good the resection was. My preference for Grade II is to delay if possible. These might transform into malignant tumors, and it will be important then to treat them with everything you can.”

    He particularly advises delaying radiation in a young patient with a good prognosis. “If you have a patient in their 20s, you would hate for them to develop cognitive problems from radiation in their 30s and still have many years to live.”

    Grade III tumors are a different matter. “They are considered a malignant glioma like Grade IV; the biology and patients are similar. The outcomes are significantly different, however, with Grade III patients surviving a median of two to four years compared with less than a year for Grade IV,” he said.”

    **********************************************
    **********************************************

    So come on Senator McCain stand up and take it like a man and let the VA take over your Health Care for your Glioblastoma. Die with an oz of dignity.

    Full Article at: “https://www.usmedicine.com/agencies/department-of-veterans-affairs/va-patients-special-challenges-often-reduce-glioblastoma-survival/”

    1. He’s right on que to use Washington, D.C.’s, Death with Dignity Act which took effect on July 17, 2017, becoming the 7th jurisdiction to authorize medical aid in dying.

      1. I hope like hell he does not take the easy way out.

        I personally would like to see him actually take VA medical care. What ever extraordinary care he receives they should then make standard for all Veterans being treated for Glioblastoma.

      2. But Sadly we all know he don’t have the balls to do it. Even though it would be a slight act of redemption.

    2. If there is a hell, then you know that Saddam Hussein is going to be punking McCain ass all over Hell.

      1. The surgeons need to separate the conjoined twin named Lindsay Graham from McCain then I have a novel idea all you Vietnam Veterans will love…ship McCain over to Northern Vietnam from advanced treatment or the VA in Phoenix…both are toll booths on way to final destination of hell…although many would argue that the VA is actually pre-hell.

      2. Seymore, and my other brothers and sisters on here……
        It’s never been in my nature to want death on anyone.
        Only, in the case of “Songbird McCain”, the only thing I can think of is: “I truly want him to end his miserable life in the same, IF NOT WORSE, pain my “brother” “Hangman”! He deserves nothing less!”

      3. Amen, Crazy elf, I hope he dies a very slow, painful death. Don’t forget about the Nationwide opioid epidemic, no meds for McCain!!!

      4. @Crazy Elf – – – I truly hope you get your wish granted. I have a few brothers whose painful lingering deaths he needs to atone for as well. I fervently hope he truly suffers.

        As will the souls of a lot of guys from the USS Forrestal . . .

      5. I’ve had 2 relatives suffer & die from Glioblastoma. Its absolutely a horrid ordeal.

      6. @NiteWish: I am so sorry your relatives had to suffer through this horrible disease,

        McCaine? I care about as much about his traitorous ass, as I do any number of traitorous politicians. He and they, have hurt this country, and as importantly, Veterans, and active duty personnel, to be honest he outlived his usefulness as a co2 producer long ago. I have no sympathy for him at all, nor did I for Kennedy the murderer. I hope most of the DC traitorous crowd, develops the most painful brain tumors, and die very slow painful deaths, and even that is too good for most of them.

        Sorry I sound so………..hateful, but I love this country, and the men/woman who served it, while these DC assholes and assholettes, were busy destroying it from within. Your right, I am bitter. very bitter. Not towards anyone here, specially not you. Just to many years of this dog and pony show, while the rest of us have no say so. I genuinely hope they all rot in the same dumpsters they force homeless, Veterans with mental issues to forage for food in.

        I am sorry NiteWish, you know your tops in my book, always.

      7. At least the boys with the party hats have a last chance to kiss his ass before goes. Can’t wait to see what the American Legion has in-store for making money off his ass dying.

        What will the Phoenix VAMC do now they don’t have their protector and a real Senator might be elected. I’ll bet there are a lot of turds looking for the sewer-line out of Phoenix VAMC right now.

        That is going to be a sewer pipe that will be bursting soon.

  7. Senator John McCain has been diagnosed with a brain tumor. I think the Phoenix VA should be able to treat this with no difficulty. Too bad he will not be getting his treatment there . . .

    Full Article: “https://a.msn.com/r/2/AAotb3x?m=en-us”

    1. I think every Veteran wishes John McCain was getting his healthcare from the Phoenix, VAMC. What a disconnected old goat.

      1. I would not bet against that. Maybe if he were, in his final days he would speak some unvarnished truth. Wouldn’t that be a breath of fresh air?

  8. Things are just bright and cheery for veterans according to POTUS and our country’s exalted leadership. You can read about it in all the “feel good” puff pieces the VA publishes.

    As for me, I do not like LIARS.

    It is high time for some real leadership at the VA. Leadership that speaks truth publicly about how bad things have really gotten. Leadership that develops solutions to take better care of ALL our nations warriors.

    Leadership that recognizes that when they are doing a good job – – – it will be veterans singing their praises, rather than the VA needing a PR Agency to put out “Fluff Pieces” to mislead America.

    Current VA leadership has their Brain Housing Group the size of mice and their Hearts no bigger. It is about TEN YEARS PAST TIME TO FIX THE DAMN BROKEN VA:

    1. Recognize the problems inherent in the VA are SYSTEM-WIDE, not just limited to a few locations.

    2. Fire all the Lazy No Good Workers. Fire EVERY single AFGE/SES Employee.

    3. Sell off all the VA facilities. Alternatively, they may be converted into housing for homeless veterans.

    4. Issue all veterans a card that allows them to choose their own doctors within their community that they can TRUST.

    5. The United States Government will PAY those doctors promptly (Within 45 days) for the care they provide veterans.

    6. ELIMINATE the “Federal Protection” Umbrella for incompetent QUACKS that the VA sends to other states to practice other than their own. Going to practice in Hawaii? You need to be LICENSED in Hawaii. Same applies to all other states.

    7. Any claim a veteran submits to the VBA that requires more than 90 days to adjudicate, is automatically found to be in favor of the veteran. If a VBA claim filed by a veteran is found to be a false one designed to scam the system, the VA will have to prove in civil court that a false claim was intentionally submitted.

    8. All veterans will be allowed to seek/retain the services of a Veterans Rights Attorney from their first initial contact with the VA.

    9. No AFGE, nor any other Labor Union business will be allowed to take place in any Federal Workplace. Conducting Union Business during working hours will be STRICTLY PROHIBITED, and will be STRICTLY ENFORCED. Should any government employee be found violating this provision, it will result in IMMEDIATE LIFETIME DISMISSAL FROM ANY/ALL GOVERNMENTAL EMPLOYMENT.

    10. Attorneys for appeal will be retained at the former employee’s PERSONAL expense. U. S. Taxpayer’s will not be subject to payment of legal bills for incompetent or dishonest personnel with regards to Governmental Employment.

    You have my contact information Mr. Secretary. Call me anytime. I have a lot of ideas to help you improve the services provided to my fellow veterans. And I will not hesitate to speak up at all.

    For my fellow veterans who have been ill-served by this CLUSTERFUCK of a train wreck called the VA over the years:

    Our battles overseas were far less stressful than our war here at home. Never Cruel or cowardly. Never Give Up. Never Give In. We are on the Righteous path.

    POTUS Reagan broke up PATCO in the ’80’s. Time for POTUS Trump to break up the AFGE. Most of our current Congress Critters do NOT have Veterans Interests at heart. Perhaps their replacements will. VOTE OUT all these WORTHLESS INCUMBENTS.

    Give their replacement’s one term to take care of Veterans who put aside their own personal lives to answer this nation’s call when she needed them. Many of those Veterans suffer the remainder of their lives for doing what most of their countrymen had not the courage to do.

    If they cannot MUSTER THE STONES to do it properly – – – vote their worthless asses out as well. Party should NOT MATTER. What SHOULD MATTER is their VOTING RECORDS ON VETERANS ISSUES.
    Rhetoric is cheap. Congressional Voting Records speak louder than words.

    NO Combat Veteran should be surprised when the next McVeigh or Congressional Baseball Team Incident occurs. Bound to happen. Just a matter of time . . .

    We have now reached the next accelerative phase of our country falling apart. Country before Party. Principles before Personalities. Always.

    Want to REALLY fix the VA? The next SecVA needs to be a former Enlisted Man with a few serious axes to grind against the VA and the AFGE. Apparently, Former Flag Officers and SES appointed Civilians can’t cut the mustard . . .

    Maybe a SINCERELY MOTIVATED Gunnery Sergeant or Chief Petty Officer CAN.

    Disgruntled Veteran
    1973 – 1976 USMC
    1978 – 1993 USN
    Wounded Warrior
    Honolulu, Hawaii

  9. Shit running deep in Congress today!!

    “VA deputy nominee ready to take on ‘disconnect’ between HQ and field employees”
    By Nicole Ogrysko
    July 19, 2017

    Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin is looking to a seasoned professional of the military, Defense Department, Congress and VA itself to serve as his number two.

    Tom Bowman is the son of a Pearl Harbor veteran. He himself also served in the Marine Corps and relies on the VA for most of his own health care.

    “I continue to use the VA health care system because I trust it,” he told the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee during a July 19 nomination hearing.

    The committee heard from Bowman, as well as nominees for two senior level positions and three nominees for the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.

    Bowman said Shulkin has asked him to essentially serve as the department’s chief operating officer. He wants Bowman to oversee daily operations and senior executive management both at VA headquarters and field offices.

    If confirmed, with Bowman’s career long connections to the use of Chemical Weapons and the Cover ups involved with there prior use. It is an absolute certainty that for some Veterans VHC will be the Final Solution ending their lives intentionally.

    Full article at: “https://federalnewsradio.com/veterans-affairs/2017/07/va-deputy-nominee-ready-to-take-on-disconnect-between-field-and-hq-employees/”

    1. “[…Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin is looking to a seasoned professional of the military, Defense Department, Congress and VA itself to serve as his number two….]”

      My momma taught me that number two always makes poo.

  10. Seymore, 91Veteran, namnibor, OLDMARINE and others,
    After watching the news video, and reading articles, on the Manchester VHA screw up. And the 4 am accidental, (on purpose), flooding of the top floors.
    It’s interesting to note, the whistleblowers have had attorney working for them. It was revealed the attorney knows “Shithead Shulkin” knew about the gross mismanagement at that VHA “…for ten months!” Which tells me, also, the attorney has all the documents nessasary to hang all the reprobates at that VHA in Manchester!

    As “OLDMARINE” wrote so eloquently – “Shulkin is a fuckin liar!”
    There’s no way now for Shulkin to continue as Secretary of VA! President Trump needs to FIRE THIS DUMB ASS NOW! No more fuckin around over veterans lives!

    Lastly, I’m my opinion, there’s only one good thing about that (purposefully set) flooding – that is, veterans will now be seen by outside healthcare providers! I sure pray those outside healthcare providers are better than the VA has!

    1. @Crazy elf – – – I agree 100% with what you stated about Shulkin. Although, we all know that this problem runs deep, especially with NO ACCOUNTABILITY at the VA. To me, the VA sees me as a number, a stat, a unit of the Opioid Crisis Management, in which they force Veterans to either take SSRI’s or to suffer. Your Choice. Rat Bastards.

      I’m wondering if the so called accidental leak occurred above where any records are on file? If so, the probability of this being an accident, and such accident being located above the records, is extremely low to occur. Just informing. – – – The Nutter.

      1. Yes, there are pictures of rooms full of filing cabinets and papers thrown all over the floors, WET Paperwork at that!
        So, your answer is yes, it wasn’t an accident -,in my opinion!

      2. ANutterVet, you mentioned accountability.

        Isn’t it interesting that Shulkin is in a pickle now because he failed to hold those two accountable 10 months ago when he was first informed?

        I’m curious what action Shulkin took when he was first informed, or what action he took after he became Secretary. Did he take any action at all? Did he just accept any BS excuses made? Or did he just ignore the whole mess?

        If VA leadership was informed 10 months ago, what did they do about it?

        It sure as hell is not accountability if Shulkin ignored it and veterans suffered another 10 months.

      3. I would like them to stick those SSRI’s up there ass ..The end result is like putting a bullet to the head…Experimental quackery is all that shit is, and ever will be…I would rather experiment with a spinning revolver …LOL….Those quacks need to try some of that shit on themselves…Don’t worry it wont hurt you, you wont even know your a zombie

    2. Crazy Elf, I don’t know that Shulkin is going anywhere. Yet.

      I believe that attorney made it publicly known that Shulkin knew months ago to get his attention. Its likely that will force some kind of negotiation between her and Shulkins lawyers, and she will essentially get whatever she wants since she can prove Shulkin knew.

      Unless Shulkin wants to be stupid and not negotiate.

      Either way, since she likely has the documentation to prove her case, Shulkin, and the taxpayers paying the tab for this corruption, loses.

      1. 91Veteran,
        And I can almost guarantee you, with a 98% – “10 to 1 odds” bet, the attorney and all her clients will have to sign paperwork, “privacy disclosure”, saying they can’t talk about the settlement!

      2. Crazy Elf, that would add even more importance for Shulkin to negotiate.

        Keeps everything quiet with a nondisclosure agreement.

  11. @Seymore Klearly – – – Do you know if Joe King had an HIV test before being hired at the VA Medical Center? It makes me feel even more comfortable that the VA hires extremely well trained personnel to take of us. And, do you know if this nice societal Veteran will be working with other Veterans in his new position (Work position not sexual position. I didn’t want to confuse any sick minds that may be reading this). I wonder how much the VA spends on recruiting costs at Correctional Centers?

    The VA life continues to get sweeter and sweeter. – – – The Nutter.

  12. Isn’t there a law that prohibits the hiring of felons? I’m not judging this Veteran. It’s all the other felons that will be hired. Precedence will be established. Water damage, a coincidence? I doubt it.

    1. Jo3n,
      To answer your question, “YES!” It against the law, for VA to hire felons.
      Here’s an article from: “The Daily Caller”
      I believe it was written in 2015. You’ll have to research it.
      Titled:
      “VA: New Law Prohibits Hiring Felons!”

      It’s a law, as with all laws, the VA never complies with! That’s is why I don’t see “Shithead Shulkin” complying with the new “Accountability and Whistle-Blower Protection Law” ever!
      The Manchester VHA is a great example of “Shithead Shulkin” NOT complying with the new law! He’s NOT by NOT firing anyone at the Manchester VHA! He had a perfect opportunity to show veterans he meant business. And yet, still not one asswipe reprobate has been fired anywhere in the VA!
      “Shithead Shulkin” is a waste of time. He’s a useless piece of shit – that’s why he’s named “Shithead Shulkin”!

  13. FYI from Palo Alto —
    Joe King, after spending years incarcerated, thought he had no chance of re-entering the workforce. The Army Veteran had served multiple prison terms & the courts did not want to give him another chance at freedom. Thanks to the advocacy of Dr. Matt Stimmel from Veterans’ Justice Outreach Joe now has a full-time job at VA. …… “I was involved in a lot of crime before coming to the VA,” King recalled.
    “https://www.paloalto.va.gov/PALOALTO/features/cwtsuccessstory.asp”

    1. Lmaooo, poor Joe King is about to find out, just what an amateur he really was. Wait till the VA grooms him to be the next DON!! He is now in the presence of real criminal royalty!

      1. That old goat should be counting his silver spoon blessings he does not have to endure the VA healthcare like other Veterans. The old goat probably would not have lasted this long had he been down in the thick of things with his fellow Veterans. Hope he doesn’t choke on that silver spoon and follows a natural path.

  14. you know those timely accidents that occur from time to time on any given day at the VA. Such as a water pipe bursting and flooding 5 floors of a hospital at the start of a major investigation.

    Well 43-year-old Dwayne Thurman Veterans Administration employee had one of those dumb luck moments when the loaded gun he was cleaning accidentally went off. As dumb luck would have it, it does get worst given the stupid gun was also accidentally pointed at his wife’s chest when it decided to accidentally go off while loaded and being cleaned.

    Dwayne remains free without bond after pleading not guilty to first-degree manslaughter in the death of his wife. He also remains employed at the VA Homeless Outreach Center in downtown Spokane.

    Court documents said Dwayne told detectives he and his wife were both involved in extra marital affairs at the time of the shooting. When deputies arrived at the home, they found a disassembled semi-automatic firearm on the kitchen table as well as a second semi-automatic firearm that was not disassembled. Court documents said authorities did not see any obvious blood staining in the home. Deputies said they saw a mop bucket and mop near the kitchen table. There was water on the floor near the bucket, according to court documents.

    Guess he felt that he needed to clean up the crime seen like a good deputy so as not to hinder the investigation. Didn’t want to give anyone the wrong impression.

    Spokane Valley deputies said Lincoln County Reserve Deputy Dwayne Thurman called 911 on Monday morning and stated his wife, Brenda Thurman, had been shot at a home near East Sinto Avenue and North Bolvar Road. Court documents said Thurman and his daughter moved his wife into a car and drove her to the Spokane Valley Hospital.

    Likely that was when he was hired by the VA. I assume they really saw his potential in working with homeless Veterans. I am sure they would want him to show veterans the same kind of loving relationship he had maintained with his wife.

    Sources Jan 2016 & July 2017

    “Detectives rule deadly Spokane Valley shooting a homicide”
    Lindsay Nadrich
    KREM.com Published Jan. 21, 2016
    “https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/local/spokane-county/2016/01/21/detectives-rule-deadly-spokane-valley-shooting-homicide/79130974/”
    ~~~~~~~~

    “Lawmakers: Man Charged in Wife’s Death Shouldn’t Work for VA”
    The Associated Press
    2 hours ago
    “https://www.chronline.com/news/lawmakers-man-charged-in-wife-s-death-shouldn-t-work/article_e42684d2-6cb6-11e7-bd3f-c7faab0167e9.html”

  15. @CorpsmanUp, good idea, but, the VA still doesn’t follow the law. Too many things wrong. I was thinking, If the VHA was my house, where would I begin? I don’t have an answer that wouldn’t cripple the VA.

  16. Why is mental health care in the VA always associated with alcoholism and drug abuse? I remember in early 90’s, if I didn’t say I was an alcoholic, mental health wouldn’t see me. I was called earlier today by Birmingham VA advocate. After neither of us agreeing on the VA, I suggested he visits @Ben, and to call me back. He may do that. May not. I read to him some of SeymoreKlearly reports on Manchester. He didn’t believe me. Didn’t think he would. A nice guy though, just highly misinformed.

  17. Subject Total Lack of Intelligence

    Posted three hours ago

    Reports that VAMC Manchester had a major mechanical Failure this morning at 4:00 am.

    A pipe burst causing ‘severe water damage’ to multiple floors of the facility. Well there goes all the paper records. Shulkin’s cleanup team at work.

    “Burst pipe at Manchester VA hospital causes ‘severe water damage'”
    NH1.com
    3 hours and 40 minutes ago.

    “https://www.nh1.com/news/burst-pipe-at-manchester-va-hospital-causes-severe-water-damage-/”

    1. From the article:

      “MANCHESTER — Officials at the Manchester Veterans Administration hospital say severe water damage has resulted from a burst pipe.

      The hospital reported a “catastrophic mechanical failure” at about 4 a.m. that has resulted in flooding and damage on “a number of floors” at the facility, which is already under scrutiny for its reported lapse in quality of care.

      The notification indicates services provided on the first and second floors have not been impacted. Patients with appointments in the affected areas are being notified by hospital officials.

      “At this time, all employees are asked to be present as scheduled and check in at the fist floor Training and Education Room for further instructions.””

      “The VA is working with other hospitals to provide treatment to patients.

      This is the latest problem for the hospital. On Saturday, Boston Globe’s Spotlight Team published an article that made public the claims of patients and doctors who described the alleged issues within the hospital, including an operating room abandoned because of flies and patients struggling to get any care.”

      “This resulted in a review of the center, and the department has removed the director and chief of staff at the facility, pending the outcome of the review.”

      1. An image of the broken pipe show that the pipe that burst was recently worked on. From the image note the fresh Teflon tape at the opposite end of the pipe that burst. To this analyst it appears that the burst pipe was recently put into place and the water was then turned back on. Total sabotage.

        See Image: “https://www.unionleader.com/storyimage/UL/20170719/NEWS07/170719184/AR/0/AR-170719184.jpg?q=100&stamp=&maxw=800”

      2. The Training and Education room.

        I doubt any VA employee there knows how to find that room.

        Maybe they should put donuts in there as bait.

      3. “Maybe they should put donuts in there as bait.”

        Only as long as you remember to place the oxycodone sprinkles on those donuts…then that training and education room will also be manned by AFGE Union Thug activities…kill a bunch of pigs with one drowning.

      4. That may be the only time that floor gets mopped.

        Unless a Hungry Hippo game breaks out.

      5. I hope the Manchester VA does not think this will drown their rat problem away. Rats are avid swimmers and actually will thrive in that mess. May have been the rats that started the water leak to get rid of the engorged purple teams.

    2. Seymore,
      Just like when veterans ask for documents, the VA says; “We had a fire, and ALL your documents were destroyed!”
      I can see the writing on the wall now from the new VHA director at Manchester. “ALL our paperwork was destroyed by the water leak!”
      Just a new wrinkle on an old viewpoint!

      1. And you watch, that water leak will somehow turn into an uncontrollable fire where ALL records are loss and the dialogue will change to it was an underground petroleum line that burst instead of water. St. Louis 101.

      2. That is why you have IT issues at VA. It is a matter of deleting and destroying records
        Congress should pass a bill that orders the VA to preserve records through a 3rd party like NARA, once the veterans submit documents.

  18. Subject Artificial Intelligence

    Apparently fed up with his duties patrolling the streets of the Swamp in Washington D.C.. Steve the artificial Intelligent Robot ended his own program today by plunging down four steps into a fountain. It is not known at this time if Steve left a suicide file on any of his hard drives.

    “Security robot meets untimely demise after ‘drowning’ on the job”
    “It was one small step for security technology, but one giant leap in the wrong direction for robotkind”
    By Nancy Coleman
    CNN, Jul 19, 2017

    “A security robot in Washington, D.C. — lovingly named Steve — plunged down four steps into a fountain Monday.

    Photos show the sad, waterlogged robot cop partially submerged in defeat. It’s unclear if any foul play was involved or if Steve simply rolled down a dark path on his own.

    Steve had just started patrolling the Washington Harbour, a riverside complex in Georgetown with restaurants and offices, last week. The Washington Harbour and its real estate developer, MRP Realty, introduced the robot on Facebook on July 12.”

    Full article at: “https://www.wmur.com/article/security-robot-meets-untimely-demise-after-drowning-on-the-job-1500448833/10327535”

  19. For a lot of Veterans not connected to any of the VSOs one of the ways they have been able to receive assistance in obtaining earned VA benefits has been through a County Veterans Service Office. There is a new wrinkle in obtain earned benefits in some counties now. An example is what is going on in Kalamazoo Michigan.

    The new plan in Kalamazoo is to hire Current Veterans Affairs employees into positions in the counties mental health department and have them replace the Counties Veterans Services Office. There by eliminating the County Veterans Services Officer and his office.

    Does not sound very good for Veterans when you have to go to the mental health department to see if there is something wrong with you for applying for earned Veterans Benefits. Of course the Veterans Affairs employees holding jobs with titles in the mental health department can just call you nuts from the getgo.

    Now to add to the problems for Veterans in Kalamazoo. This is just a second step in what appears to be a plan being implemented by the Veterans Administration to control every aspect of Veterans lives in Kalamazoo. This year 2017 they began their version of the Veterans Treatment Courts where the Veterans administration employs an attorney working in the District Attorneys office to prosecute Veteran evolved cases.

    The Treatment courts have broad powers to control every aspect of a Veterans life including forced medications for Veterans being used as Lab rats.

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    “Veterans Treatment Court considered for Kalamazoo County justice system”
    Updated on October 2, 2016
    By Al Jones
    M-Live online

    “KALAMAZOO, MI – The idea of establishing a specialized court to handle criminal cases involving military veterans — and help them address issues that may have led them into the justice system — was introduced Thursday in Kalamazoo by a group of legal professionals.

    The establishment of a Veterans Treatment Court is being discussed as a means to help veterans who face criminal penalties as they deal with issues related to military service such as post traumatic stress disorder, drug or alcohol dependence, or brain injuries suffered in the line of duty.”

    “”Veterans Treatment Courts offer veterans access to services including mentoring, mental health treatment and substance abuse treatment,” Kalamazoo County Prosecuting Attorney Jeff Getting said in a statement issued following a Thursday afternoon meeting of several leaders discussing the possibility of getting such a court started here.”

    “”This treatment and support can help veterans avoid incarceration and save taxpayers substantial resources,” Getting said. “Saving lives and saving money – that’s a win-win outcome.””

    Full article at: “https://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2016/10/veterans_treatment_court_sugge.html”

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    *********
    Just 30 days after announcing to the pubic that the Veterans treatment courts are being considered they are fast tracked to approval.
    *********

    “Veterans treatment court to start in Kalamazoo County in 2017”
    November 10
    By Emily Monacelli
    M-Live online

    “KALAMAZOO, MI — A veterans treatment court will start in Kalamazoo County next year.

    The specialized court — meant to handle criminal cases involving military veterans and to help them address issues that may have led them into the justice system — will start in March 2017, Kalamazoo County Circuit Court Judge Pamela Lightvoet said Thursday.

    Lightvoet said the court will start with five veterans using a $35,000 grant the county received, and plans to expand the program as more funding becomes available. She said the fully funded program would cost $80,000 to $85,000. Officials involved plan to apply for more grants and reach out to the community for more funding once the program starts.

    “This has been a long process planning this program,” Lightvoet said.”

    Full article at: “https://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2016/11/veterans_court.html”

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    “Veterans Affairs could be shifted to Mental Health”
    Wednesday, July 19, 2017
    WKZO online

    “KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM/FM) — After months of tension, personality problems, and poor service to Kalamazoo’s Veterans due to injuries and sickness on the staff, The Kalamazo County Board is considering shutting down the Veterans Advisory Committee and handing the duties of the veteran’s office over to the Community Mental Health Agency.

    The proposal comes from a task force that has been working on the issue since complaints surfaced this spring.

    Commissioners generally liked the idea. CMS Administrator Jeff Patton said veterans would not only have access to federal programs, but easier access to local services as well.

    But not all veterans are convinced. There was some anger that no one from the advisory board was assigned to the task force. The current chair of the Veterans Advisory Committee, Bob Henken warns there could be issues with gaining certification for Veterans Affairs staff and other unintended consequences.”

    Full article at: “https://wkzo.com/news/articles/2017/jul/19/veterans-affairs-could-be-shifted-to-mental-health/”
    ~~~~~~~~~

    “Veterans department transfer gets green light by Kalamazoo leaders”
    Updated on July 18, 2017
    By Malachi Barrett
    M-Live online

    “KALAMAZOO, MI — County leaders are supportive of a plan to transfer its department of veterans services to an independent mental health authority.

    Administrator Tracie Moored and Jeff Patton, chief executive officer of the Kalamazoo Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, presented a proposal to the Board of Commissioners Tuesday. Elected leaders agreed to pursue an intergovernmental agreement that would transfer veterans services to Patton’s organization, despite objections from a citizen’s advisory board.

    “It may not make everyone happy, but the goal of this county is to improve services; not just for our veterans, but for everyone,” said Commissioner Mike Seals. “I took an oath here at the county just like I did when I joined the military and I have an obligation to do what I think is best for the county.””

    “Most of the commissioners said the change would expand the number of veterans able to be served and open up new funding opportunities. However, Commissioner Mike Quinn warned against potential unintended consequences that could follow.

    The plan, developed by a board-appointed task force, would provide KCMSAS with $225,000 in county funds to hire three employees. A policy committee made up of veterans would be created, while the county would continue to administer the Veterans Relief Fund with a new committee selected by the Probate Judge.”

    Full article at: “https://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2017/07/veterans_department_transfer_v.html”
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    “Citizen oversight body warns against veterans office transfer”
    Updated on July 17, 2017
    By Malachi Barrett
    M-Live online

    “KALAMAZOO, MI — The leader of Kalamazoo County’s veterans affairs committee said he believes moving veterans services is a mistake.

    Bob Hencken is chair of the committee, a citizen oversight board created by state statute. In a letter to the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners, he said a plan to move the veterans service office to the area’s mental health authority will lead to problems.”

    “Today, veterans services are coordinated from the Department of Health and Community Services. The department provides vital financial assistance to former members of the armed forces and helps disabled veterans apply for VA benefits claims.

    The county believes the move to Kalamazoo Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services would expand available services and the potential for grant funding. However, Hencken said it could cause veterans service officers to lose their ability to submit benefits claims.

    “It is by no means certain that there will be any real benefit to veterans, or any reason that the (veterans office) could not coordinate with KCMHSAS if it remained where it was,” Hencken said.

    According to a document outlining an upcoming July 18 presentation on the subject, the transfer would begin on Sept. 1. It’s the recommendation of a task force created in October 2016, which spent the better part of a year looking into improvements the veterans service office can make.”

    “Hencken said he was informed of the county’s plan during a July 12 meeting with Administrator Tracie Moored and KCMHSAS Executive Director Jeff Patton.

    If the transfer occurs, Corporate Counsel Thom Canny said Kalamazoo County would no longer be legally required to maintain the five-person veterans committee, which has its members worried.”

    “The committee believes it should have the power to appoint and un-appoint employees in the veterans office. Tom Burton, one of the members, said the committee serves a vital role as a watchdog on government.

    Canny said that if the committee is responsible for hiring, firing or disciplining of employees, it could open the county to a lawsuit.

    For a time, both parties worked on a memorandum of understanding that would have outlined their respective responsibilities. These negotiations fell through.

    At the county’s request, Sen. Margaret O’Brien, R-Portage, sent 18 questions about the administration of the veterans service office to Attorney General Bill Schuette.

    One question asks if the county can enter a contract with another legal entity to provide services to veterans. Another asks if the county can dissolve the veterans service office and the committee.”

    “It could take up to a year for Schuette to respond. The county is determined to move forward in the meantime.

    “We will do what is in the best interests of the veterans,” Moored said.

    Hencken said in the letter that “personal animosities” between county officials and the veterans committee led the county to abandon negotiations and pursue the transfer. He’s convinced the purpose of the move is to abolish the committee.

    Under the state statute, a county’s veterans affairs department is placed “under the administration” of three to seven residents who have served honorably on active duty in the United States Armed Forces.

    In its place, Hencken said he was told there would be two committees: one appointed by the Probate Judge to oversee the distribution of funds to indigent veterans, and one to provide advice regarding other veterans services.

    Ultimately, Hencken said the transfer would carry unintended consequences which could be illegal.

    He also doubts that the change is favored by veterans service office employees.”

    “Lack of communication

    The task force recommendation comes half a year after the veterans oversight committee pressured Kalamazoo County officials to improve the department.

    Since the task force was created, Hencken said the committee has been shut out of the process.

    “The task force explicitly rebuffed all suggestions that we participate, operated in secret and refused to provide us with any data or information it gathered during its investigation,” Hencken said.

    Julie Rogers, a Kalamazoo County commissioner appointed to the task force, said she has meet with Hencken periodically to “keep him in the loop.””

    “Meanwhile, two vacancies on the committee have been left unfilled.

    Bill Becker, the longest-serving member on the veterans affairs committee, announced his resignation in May. In a strongly worded letter to the commission, he said it had become clear to him that the committee is “between a joke and a dead issue.”

    Becker said the veterans affairs committee has not been involved with any of the work being done by the task force. He said they have been cut off from measuring the performance of the veterans office.

    In the same meeting Becker’s resignation was announced to the county board, Rogers said work to fill the vacancies on the committee would be put on hold.

    She said it would be more productive to bring new committee members in once the veterans office is stable. Rogers said the task force has tried to work with the committee.”

    Full article at: “https://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2017/07/citizens_oversight_body_dispro.html”

    1. The staffing of these special Veterans treatment courts generally include prosecutors, public defenders and judges selected and hired by the Veterans administration. Their pay is through grants from the Veterans administrations office space rental and additional costs are paid by grants from the Veterans administration from the VAs budget.

      1. Just think about it for a minute. The most corrupt agency in our government is now being placed in a position of control over your civil rights and justice is going to be a thing of the past.

  20. Not acceptable that VA can’t figure out how efficient/productive (or not) its staff really is. But here’s a question: the first line of this post refers to “flawed clinical quality measures.” However, the GAO report does not talk about clinical quality, instead discussing clinical productivity (https://www.gao.gov/mobile/products/GAO-17-722T). The two aren’t the same – a health care system can have low productivity but deliver high quality, or vice-versa. Why the reference to clinical quality when the GAO report didn’t look at that?

  21. “Once exposed, Congress set in place numerous measures and billions in taxpayer dollars to improve the systems that allowed fraud to occur.”

    Gosh, no matter how juch gas they throw on the fire it just seems like the problem gets worse! Now who would have guessed at tossing money at the VA would not fix anything except the odds against veterans?

    Brother Nesler may have gotten it wrong. He said VA Lies and Vets Die. Maybe it should be, Congress Throws Money and Vets Die. After all Congress is very open about shipping truckoads of cash to VA hands, the likes of which rival some national economies, and good golly the beast just keeps getting fatter and fatter – and hungrier. Maybe in the future some genius level thinker will conclude that feeding cash to the VA is like tossing gas on a bonfire hoping it will go out. 80 years you say and they still won’t become an honest organization?

    Who would have guessed…

  22. To Investigative or Any News Media Reporters – – – Please publish information on how the Veterans Administration is full of corruption, fraud, theft, conspiracies, deceit, collusion, and deceptions, that are consistently occurring in a Federal Agency, who responsibilities are to take care of Veterans, their spouses, children, and their Service and or Emotional Animals.

    If you have any doubt, that there aren’t any illegal activities happening in the VA, I suggest that you continue to read the articles published by Benjamin Krause, and then read the comments that follow.

    Its been reported, although most likely a low figure, that around 22 Veterans commit suicide every day. Plus, many Veterans have been swindled out of compensations and pensions, and others are struggling just to receive decent healthcare.

    Do something about these atrocities, crimes, transgressions, and wrongdoings. Remember, without the secured freedoms provided by the service and life of Veterans, there’d be no freedom of the press.

  23. I have a serious issue with Mt Home VA re a hearing loss from approx 2000 air hous as “air Passenger Specialist/Flight Attendent/Loadmaster 1501 ATW MATS, Travis AFB 1958-1960 C-97 Stratrofrieghters with 4 huge Prat Whitney 4360 reciprocating engines blasting away on 10- 16 hr flight legs Travis AFB throughout the entire South Pacific. Jan 2016 Dr Emily browm , a highly advanced educated audiologist tested me for over 3 hrs and diagnoed me as having some 70% hrearing loss and advancing tinnuitus. She advised me to apply asap for service connected disability (non combat) compensation which, in her eduated opinion should have been address long b4 she examnined me. She prescribed a highly advanced Phonak Compilot hearing aid system that I use titaday approx a yr ago a Dr Wilds, CONYRACT civilian audiologist who told me that he became a ciontract audiologist at Quillan VA Hospital (Mt Home, TN. after about 20+ minutes of him telling me giberish about his life , etc he finally put me in the Quillan VA hospital sound booth…WIT MY PHONAK EAR BUDS still both ears, for all of 15 minutes, then wrote whatever his report ( can’t get VA to provide those specific records yet, which he reported the VA I only had compensable TINNITUS issues and some ) perscent loss in my left ear….VA ratings approved tinnitus comp ($130 pm) and ZERO for my actual hearing loss!. More rcently the VA FINALLY sent me a Form 9 demand hearing loss live hearing, not yet set and I am told ity may well be some 365 days B4 the hearing will take place in Winston Calem or Raliegh, NC.

    Not getting thru or over this VA “stonewall” to deny my service connnected comp benefits I decided to obtain a civilian audio test performed by Beltones state of art testing facility in Boone, NC. Results clearly reveal significant hearing loss in left ear as well as incread loss left ear. Beltones tests clearly support Dr Browns 2016 tests as described and that my hearing loss has further desintagrated. Charts will be sent to my vet Choice provider in order to allow me my evidence for the live hearing I may never have due to my advancing age (now 78 going on 79. Quality of life both economically and physically slowly “rushing” off into my sunset. I have battered myself tio extremes trying to deal with VA on this matter…”hurry up and wait” and then we will deny you again on basis of my quack audio ratings test. Holy batcrap whenb wiull all tis end not just for me but for tens of thousands of disabled bets?

    God willing and the river don’t rise I will fight them tong and hammer until I no longer am able.. Gaod Bless America and all our troops and vets everywhere. We earned our benefits, we deserve our benefits sans all the horseshit our VA drags us through.

    bless you

    Bruce R Nelson AF 14651751

  24. ANutterVet …….I’m tired of mates been through 2 witches already I really don’t need a third…BUT if I do I’m going to check under there bed to see if there are any broom’s hidden first, still trying to get rid of the last one , she wants 3 legs and a arm if she succeeds well at least I’ll have a arm left…..what a deal..LOL

    1. @OLDMARINE – – – I’m just razzing ya. Don’t forget, if you search under the bed at night use a flashlight, or else it will be in your face before you know it. LMAO – – – The Nutter.

    2. Yeah, I also consider the concept of ‘mates’ as nothing but a liability to my nerves and that’s why I stick to a cat. I’m tired of all the bedknobs and broomsticks in witches closets in this world. Nomadic is where it’s at. Again, all for their safety. Safety first.
      The last recent person trying to befriend me was only trying to see what kind of pills I had that could be stolen. people can really suck canal water.

      1. @Namnibor – – – I’m going to start a non-profit called, Virgins for Vets. In this way, Veterans will be able to train their woman for their specific needs.

      2. @ANutterVet- “Virgins For Vets” would absolutely have to have a “sacrifice to volcano if disruptive clause”…just in case. LOL! 🙂

    3. So OldMarine,

      Have you ever had a Mr. Hankey Family moment?

      “Mr.Hankey family problems” When every day is Christmas!
      “https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aqxw7_IJYvA”

  25. “[…Presently, the statistical models formulated by the data do not accurately reflect the reality of health care administration in the agency.

    Just think, after VA failed to protect veterans getting screwed by VA employees rigging the metrics to increase productivity numbers in 2014, VA has still not created accurate metrics to more properly measure performance at any VA facility….]”

    The only numbers the VA remotely cares about is their performance bonus dollar amounts and wasting taxpayer $$$ designated for Veteran’s Healthcare on frivolous shithead do-nothing hacks.

    I also question the vitality of the current Gov’t. Accounting Office. Remember, not that long ago Paul Ryan haunted those halls as well…not exactly Veteran Friendly if you recall he and Michelle Bachman were trying to strip away Veteran benefits, stating, “Veterans had it too good”…so at this point, I also consider the GAO part of the needed to be drained swamp. No sacred cows. Off with heads and paint the roses red.
    Time for a Mad Hatter Tea Party. It’s not the British this time needed overthrown, it’s our own bureaucrat crappers.

    Rant Out.

    1. Have been waiting for daylight since 12:30 this morning so I can get outside and wander like a nomad… LOL

      1. @OLDMARINE – – – Keep doing this every morning, and you might find a mate. LoL – – – The Nutter.

        Following on and off . . .

  26. WHEN THE GOLDEN SACK SPEAKS OUR GOV LISTENS ….Everyone need’s to listen to the sack

    Goldman Sachs thinks the opioid crisis is so bad it’s affecting the economy | Follow The Money

    “https://seeker401.wordpress.com/2017/07/18/goldman-sachs-thinks-the-opioid-crisis-is-so-bad-its-affecting-the-economy”

    It’s a been a puzzle for economists: Why aren’t more people actively looking for work again with the job market so strong? Part of the answer may be opioid addiction, the Goldman report suggests.

    These people are delusional just like the VA….They are just worried no one believes in there ponzi scheme any more…LOL

    1. “GOLDEN SACK”….LMAO! I needed that tongue-in-cheek humor this a.m., thanks, OLDMARINE! It’s also a bull-dike market, as long as you are a VA upper SES’er these Graves days. 🙂

      1. When you live by your self and don’t talk to people very often, U got to humor yourself..LOL …And your right about the dykes queer’s child molester’s, blood drinking satin worshiper’s I could go on but won’t …..That’s the only way you get to join the money grabbing club and get a promotion for it, with a nice BONUS ..LOL SACKS AGREES …read the article it’s madding

  27. The VA is the twilight zone
    Golden Earring – Twilight Zone – YouTube
    “https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIaaBuGNwNw”

  28. Lol you can’t get VA to fit the performance especially when most the people that work at VA or not veterans and treat veterans like shit. Sorry if that offends you but I can provide your names if you want to try to fix it I already have tried. That’s broke too! You can’t even get VA to figure out how to use choice but to pocket the money and make the veterans suffer from poor care. They insisted to authorize me to use choice and drive to an a half hours away for care for my eye now that VA screwed that up I can’t see now they’re sending me back to the doctor I initially was supposed to say in the first place!! Little bit late. No you can’t expect anything from the VA that when you have people that did not serve you have to have people on board that can make commonsense decisions. Unfortunately you see that in most government jobs as well, I see people that have no commonsense or education getting employment and I’m going over a year and a half unemployed without any help. Yes I went to the vocational for help here and she said I have my retirement just people that require her assistance more than me. And now she’s never served a day in her life!!! Can you help fix people and take care of veterans if you never served!!!

  29. I phoned the White House VA Complaint Hotline Monday afternoon with the intention of reporting the VAMC Manchester, NH criminal negligence of veterans. I was on hold for about ten minutes, then s man answered. Before giving him any information, I asked if he was a VA employee. You guessed it. He draws a paycheck from the VA. So using the new White House VA Complaint Hotline will quite probably land you on the Disruptive Behavior Committee’s short list. What a pathetic joke.

    I survived close combat jungle warfare with very capable NVA regulars and Viet Cong guerrillas, but the VA came much, much closer to bumping me off than did my armed enemies on the field of battle.

    I survived VA “care” long enough to become eligible for Medicare and now also pay for a Medigap insurance policy and prescription drug coverage insurance. Now I wouldn’t ask the unaccountable, criminally-corrupt, self-serving, veteran-abusing, union-hack bureaucrats at the VA for a Band Aid.

    The veterans that became paralyzed from VAMC Manchester criminal malpractice first suffered from cervical myelopathy. I have a condition known as cervical spinal stenosis. Our wonderful VA diagnosed it as a heart condition and had me taking nitroglycerine tablets – for my stenosis!

    Should the stenosis in my cervical vertebrae become worse, I’ll be sure to rush right up to Manchester for “the treatment.” I always wanted to play second base. Gee, I sure hope no one will wear spikes when they step on me.

    1. @White Rabbit
      The people that answer the WH Complaint Hotline are VA employees at the Wash. DC VA Hospital. There are about 21 of them assigned to “The DC Hotline” to be increased to @ 45 in Aug or Sept. This is what “The Shulk” created to uphold Trump’s past talk to create a WH hotline. It is entirely smoke and mirrors. The VA employee who answers and you talk to just refers you to an “expert” who will call you back within supposedly 14 days. The expert turns out to be another VA employee from your nearest VA Hospital who has been assigned to “Hotline Duty” within the “non-VA care” group at the hospital. He or she then marks her call as “completed” (as if solved) for the record of “WH complaints heard”.
      It is all a great big fake…as in “fake media” only “fake complaint line”.
      Depending on your particular complaint, and how they judge you when they talk to you….yes, some do wind up on the Disruptive Behavior Committee’s list. It can be a trap for sure.
      By this time it should be crystal clear to everyone, especially the vets on this blog, that the government is full of crap, no matter who is the president. And that the government can’t run a lemonade stand let alone a gigantic hospital system.
      Whatever the Shulk says next, you can bet your last dime it is puppet talk – like in knucklehead-smith.
      It is a good move that you have Medigap with Medicare with a prescription drug addendum. Some can afford that extra mile, but some just can’t. Who knows what direction Medical insurance will take in the USA these days. Certainly not me.
      What we are all observing is the killing of a big beast. Beasts are hard to kill and take a long time – they don’t die easy. Everyone in the country is pissed to the extreme about health care insurance – VA or non-VA private sector.
      In the meantime, senators and all the congressmen get to choose between 250 health care plans of their choice – all without co pays or deductibles – covering their entire families for the rest of their lives (no lie).
      I guess it’s because the government values (people like Isakson for example) the good “leaders” of our nation much more than the People of the most advanced nation on earth. They’re wonderful…and we all suck.
      I do wish you the best in your treatments for your stenosis condition.

  30. Pentagon Study Declares American Empire Is ‘Collapsing’
    military power is essentially depicted as a tool for the U.S. to force, threaten and cajole other countries into submission to U.S. demands. The very concept of ‘defence’ is thus re-framed as the capacity to use overwhelming military might to get one’s way — anything which undermines this capacity ends up automatically appearing as a threat that deserves to be attacked”

    The VA is like A bunch of fat cat’s licking the money bowl dry…They serve themselves not us.
    And I don’t expect any change, Just more lip service

    We where the enforcers for the big mob…[GOVERNMENT]….And didn’t even know it…LOL

    And the soviet union collapsed because of everyone stealing it dry, Not because we outspent them. that was plain BULLSHIT……

  31. @SeymoreKlearly, You have been doing this for some time. I’m guessing. You are accurate with your information. So, what I am hearing from you is, be patient? Just reach out to as many Veterans as I can. Guess I can give it another, let’s say, a hundred days. And, don’t stress about the VA. We all know, it’s really fucked up.

    1. If you step back and look at the changes that have been made as a result of Ben’s work for Veterans over the past several years. Changes that would not have happened without him and his skills with this new media and working with the press.

      As a result more and more Veterans are learning the dangers of VA Healthcare. The most deadly healthcare system in America. Lives have certainly been saved with veterans empowered with information and better able to make informed decisions in their health care. Benefits earned but criminally withheld are now being received by Veterans.

      While we may never see a proper VA in our lifetimes just being here and sharing is saving lives and helping other Veterans.

  32. Hey, brothers and sisters, our government shows no signs of slowing down ALL the corruption within it!

    As was Englands corruption towards America in the 1770’s!
    When “Revolution” finally broke out, in 1776; One third of our country didn’t give a shit, (no political affiliation or aspirations)!
    One third wanted to remain under control of England, (the Torrys)!
    And, the final third decided to break ties and fight for freedom, (PATRIOTS)!

    Does this “senerio” sound familiar? Look at our last election in 2016. It was the same senerio!

  33. One more for the list: Women being shot by immigrants with guns. The case of the Somali immigrant police officer shooting a woman who called 911 to report the sounds of a rape in her alley. Of course the immigrant police officer and his partner had their body cameras turned off.

    ” CBS Pushes Gun Control After Somali Cop Shoots White Lady”
    …But only cops should have guns, says anti-gun groups
    Kit Daniels | Infowars.com – July 18, 2017
    “https://www.infowars.com/cbs-pushes-gun-control-after-somali-cop-shoots-white-lady/”

    “CBS is pushing gun control in response to the questionable shooting of an Australian woman by a Somalian migrant cop, despite gun control advocates constantly claiming only cops should carry guns.

    Additionally, the mainstream media doesn’t seem too motivated to report on the story given it wasn’t a white cop shooting a Muslim – nor is there much reporting on the possibility the shooting was Sharia-inspired or part of a criminal cover-up.

    If the roles were reversed, there’d be 10 times as much coverage.

    In a report published Tuesday morning, CBS began blaming “America’s notorious culture of gun violence” in the second sentence of the article, and even quoted an anti-gun academic in the third sentence.

    It appears the only way the mainstream media can take advantage of this shooting is to push gun control, despite the inherent contradiction that it was a government-trained cop who shot the lady.

    “Only police should have guns,” said countless gun control advocates throughout the years.

    The shooting certainly doesn’t fit into the mainstream media’s agenda to whitewash crimes committed by Muslim migrants and to paint all white Westerners as omnipresent oppressors.

    And it’s funny how CBS was quick to blame America’s so-called “culture of gun violence” despite later admitting “authorities have released no details on what prompted Saturday’s shooting.”

    We don’t even know if the cop, 31-year-old Mohamed Noor, embraced American culture in any capacity. He may have been a stalwart supporter of Sharia Law for all we know.”

    1. Also, there’s that BLM nexus as well. Poster Child for what can go wrong in sanctuary cities when you make one of them a cop that not too many years ago were slaughtering our military in Semolina as depicted graphically well in movie “Blackhawk Down”…savages. Sorry, but I cannot extend trust to anyone that sticks their heads up cows asses and let cows pee on them…just saying.

  34. Ok, they are crooked and we are only a means for their miserable lives. I’m thinking Americans are all over the place; with what’s important to them. Health care, a wall, silencers, animal rights, black lives matter, police involved shootings, aliens, then there’s just trying to live. It’s the Veterans we need to reach. How do we do that?

    1. Simply talk about it. Talk about it here, and encourage others to talk about.

      Share what you learn.

  35. Seymore,
    I just googled the “WCAX” news article w/short video. Very telling.
    The article is titled:

    “Major Shake Up at Veterans Hospital in New Hampshire”

    It’s been updated on 17 July 2017 @ 6:42 pm edt.

    The “spokeswoman” for the AFGE is out of her fuckin mind! How can these AFGE fuckwads sleep at night. Knowing their MURDERING people/human beings/veterans? They must NOT have a conscience!
    Rep. Martha Roby and a whistleblower tell the truth about that failing VHA!
    It’s well worth reading and watching the video!

    Like I’ve said, more VHA employees need to make their voices heard!

    1. P.S.
      Seymore,
      Why wasn’t anyone fired? Just more bullshit from VA! “Shithead Shulkin” isn’t doing his fuckin job! And, as long as his ass sits in charge, NOT one thing will change!

      “91Veteran” explained it right. Lots of backroom deals, so ALL in Washington can become richer off the backs of veterans and taxpayers!

  36. We Veterans need to implement some sort of Social Media and Digital Campaign against the VA, just like ex-POTUS Obama did during his last Presidential Election. And no, I’m not a progressive Liberal. Far from it. Talking about a strategy. Although, what everyone is doing helps, but I’m sure we’re NOT using the full capacity of Social Media to get the word out. Just saying.

    1. ANutterVet,
      I agree! There needs to be more put out on ALL VA’s nationwide for veterans and taxpayers to see what’s really going on!
      A national campaign is nessasary to bring all the dirt out into the open!
      Trouble is, who can do it?
      Few of us have the resources capable of such a task! It would take a great deal of time and money!
      I’d be willing to help. Trouble is I’ve not got the financial resources at this time.

      1. @Crazy elf – – – I’m in the same boat, plus dealing with the VA’s off the wall prescription practices of pain medications. I’m only able to participate here and there, but need all of my resources to focus on my health. I won’t know where to start with a campaign. I was just recalling how ex-POTUS Obama did, and how effective and well that it worked.

  37. A Do Nothing Veterans Affairs –A Do Nothing Congress–A Do Nothing Senate —No Ethicallity or No Accountability or No Humaneness Anywhere. All trying to sabatoge any efforts towards law and order. All trying to sabatoge any civility. All trying to sabatoge any humaneness directed towards Americans (Veterans). Such Dysfunctions in all the government. Getting the Congress and the Senate to do their jobs are absolutely being unheard-of. Getting the VA to do it’s job with any accountability, ethicallity, and humaneness is also absolutely unheard-of.
    Should it be time to repeal and replace Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Speaker Paul Ryan, and Secretary David Shulkin??? Should the VA just be shut down? If nothing can get done, then, all must be eliminated.

  38. Elf I hear ya man.

    An update to the story on Manchester by WCAX dot com. These guys have been working on this since last August. Watched the Video and the first thing that came to my mind is why don’t they piss test these bug eyed swollen tongued drug addicts. They filed for whistle blower protection last August because they knew they were about to be fire for their incompetence.

    “https://www.wcax.com/category/166239/video-landing-page?clipId=13501600&autostart=true”

    1. One looked like a puffer, And the other one just laid down his crack pipe…LOL

      The smoking cheek’s video was also A smoker..LOL

      And as for today’s article…CROOKS…CROOKS……CROOKS

      1. No such article the whistle blowers were going to be fired. Don’t confuse the corruption and dereliction of duties.

      2. Say MoTrollsh!t

        With all the so-called medical professionals working there how come no one report the junkies in the news video above for using drugs at work?

        Oh, and a Very Convenient pipe burst at the VAMC today. Thank God water does not run down hill in New Hampshire, eh! Can’t wait to hear how the investigation was hampered by the water damage to all the paper records, since we know from prior reports, they were having computer problems at the VAMC for some time now.

  39. Interesting. A report about lots of numbers where the focus is on the numbers rather than their reason for being…providing health care to veterans.

    Is it a shock to anyone their metrics do not catch contractors or nurse practitioners? Hell no. In fact, one could reasonably conclude it was designed that way. Remember McDonald wanting to move to more nurse practitioners as PCP’s? Then every VA can be 5 stars and some poor union slugs won’t have their feelz hurt.

    If they want to be even more accurate, they should include any veteran referred to the Choice program.

    The rest of this reads like it’s some exercise in bureaucracy with a focus on generating data, and veterans never enter their thoughts.

    1. Again, the VA are like the ‘VOGONS’ in ‘Hitchhiker’s Guide to The Galaxy’. The VOGONS loved and breathed bureaucracy and ensured everything required even additional numbers and approvals of new statistics and all properly documented….but could not even use their technology effectively and rather clumsily, just as the VA administers healthscare.

      Too many similarities. Isaacson and AFGE little COX may be the VOGON Leaders.

      I was just playing Angry Birds on my old Nook Color tonight and was pretending the piggies were VSO’s. 🙂

  40. You have to be kidding. Even yesterday, they hire liars. This is really getting old. The VA the way it is, is incapable of success. Shulkin’s priorities are?? His staff is extremely questionable. They gotta go. Shulkin’s staff have to have nothing to do with the VA. Throw them out. There are way too many chiefs in the VA.

    1. ****Shulkin busted in outright Lie******

      See article : “https://www.google.com/amp/amp.wmur.com/article/documents-show-va-secretary-was-informed-about-allegations-months-ago/10325979#ampshare=https://www.wmur.com/article/documents-show-va-secretary-was-informed-about-allegations-months-ago/10325979”

  41. Y’all aren’t going to believe this shit. Or maybe you will.
    Today, while at the Daytona Beach VHA, the wife and I overheard a few, (and it was only a few), VA employees defending the VHA in Manchester.
    Other VA employees were not too happy with their coworkers. They were shutting down those who defended the VHA in Manchester.
    Basically telling them, they were NOT telling the truth over what happened!

    In my opinion, more VA employees are starting to see the truth about how veterans are really being treated, and ain’t happy about it one bit!

    Now, ~IF~ only more would come forward and explain, to the news medias, how it really is at all VA’s across America!

  42. Veterans will continue to die as long as the VA is in charge of providing medical care for said Veterans. You can’t fix a ship that has already sunk. I would like to say this is all fixable but it will never be fixed. There are more illegal aliens than Veterans so our Congress cares more about them than our Vets. It is that simple.

    1. Dave F,
      Don’t forget the “refugees” our government is financially supporting as well. Towns and cities across the country are struggling to support our own citizens. All while they are trying to get “Sharia law” passed. Completely ignoring the Constitution, the laws of their states and local municipalities.

      You’ve heard of that woman, in Minneapolis who was shot by that cop lately? You remember, she called the police because she “…thought someone was breaking into her home!” She told the dispatcher, when the police arrives, she’d “…meet them in the ally!” Well, guess what. He’s the “…first Somali cop hired…” in that city!
      Strange, but true, huh!

  43. The basic models that are not being adhered to are standard across the Government and used in all hospitals in the real world. How can the president allow Shulkin to continue is his position. Right now all Shulkin is nothing more than a brown snake playing peak-a-boo out the backside of the VA.

    It is way past time to put the boot to his backside on the way out the door.

    1. @Seymore Klearly: I dunno why, but after reading your post, I got this picture in my head of Shithead Shill-kin, made up like a clown gone wrong, holding his arms like they are wrapped around a pipeline, running back and forth like he is trying to Jack off a dinosaur, the dinosaur being the VA.

      My virgin mind will never be the same again!!!!!

      1. I always wondered why this guy had a smile on his face……….now I know!!!

        ───────────████████
        ──────────███▄███████
        ──────────███████████
        ──────────███████████
        ──────────██████
        ──────────█████████
        █───────███████
        ██────████████████
        ███──██████████──█
        ███████████████
        ███████████████
        ─█████████████
        ──███████████
        ────████████
        ─────███──██
        ─────██────█
        ─────█─────█
        ─────██────██

      2. The image I am trying to implant involves that of Assy McGee and Mr. Hinkey

        “Taking A Trip | Assy McGee | Adult Swim”
        “https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRwlwCH1vmI”

        “”Figaro” by Mr. Hankey”
        “https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nu7LyF2NtAw”

    2. Voting shulkin I don’t believe is answer. He is surrounded by VA personnel, slivering ways of o turn him. IU for example he didn’t know what it was and we know the description he gave came from VA turn him team. He has too get some loyalists that r pro veteran pro accountability for tax payers and please integrity. He wants transparency which that s last thing VA medical employees want. As it is and has been rule of VA law if a provider or employee are transparent they will be in a room with 4 walls nothing to do until they leave or be released. New Hampshire good job sticking together, now the rest form form ur own secret groups stand together get ur attorneys and be loud for nation to hear. Because so far what has been reported is just tip of the iceberg. Retaliation methods plentiful and in catergory of criminal and absolute no conscious which can demonstrate fr believers souls gone nonexistent. I like all the humor Someo

  44. The VA is basically a single payer system. Farm it out to Australia – theirs works.

  45. The problem is a failed accountability system. It more focused on input than outcome. How is the veteran’s health benefiting. Are they living longer better lives?

    That was the input questions on the first Obama Care drafts for an Accountable Care Organization system recommended by David Cutler before Tom Daschle got a hold of it and let the insurance industry rewrite the plan.

    Morbidity reports assess challenge and outcome not hours thrown at getting numbers in and out of the door.

  46. The VA have always been Wikipedia poster children for term “Sociopathic Petulant Child”.

    What’s Isaacson going to recommend? Yet another directive or law that the VA will use it to wipe it’s ass with?

    For all this to continue one seriously must consider possibility those with purse strings in D.C. want to keep the VA dysfunctional on purpose because it’s the perfect slush fund with absolutely no accountability and follow-through.

    1. Nope, not another “directive or law” the VA will NOT follow! The VA hasn’t followed any directive or law YET! What makes anyone believe they will follow any new directive or law!?
      They don’t follow any fuckin law now!

      Why can’t the “powers that be” just say; “SHUT DOWN ALL VHA’s!”

      1. Crazy Elf, I can think of roughly $90 billion reasons why Congress doesn’t get serious about the VA. Too many in that shithole by the Potomac benefit from all that money flowing through.

      2. va dc hq one big big big federal rico crime racket nothing will change congress will giva dc hq 186 billion $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$4444444 IN 2018 BUDGET VETS SCREWED AGIN @ AGIN @ AGIN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    2. @namnibor: You are 100% correct again, the VA, has always been, and always will be, one giant unaccountable slush fund. Where did all that SS fund monies go? Ya think that was enough for the DC drunken sailor syndrome?

      Does anyone “really” think the DC crowd gives a shit about any one of us, or anyone of your loved ones? Do I really need to answer that?

      War was declared against the citizens of this country long ago, by those do nothing crooks called politicians. They have been robbing us all blind since day one. The VA, is nothing but another source of “fists full of dollars” for these elected criminals.

      The precious gap between the wealthy and poor is so large, even Evel Knievel couldn’t jump that shit with a pair of Westinghouse J46-WE-8 roller skates.

      Although, if he attempted to do it, standing on his head, with a sparkler stuck out of his ass….. I’d pay good money, as long as the proceeds, go to a good cause.

      Okay, I lied, I could care less where the money goes, I’d like to see that shit no matter what!!!

      1. ” . . . even Evel Knievel couldn’t jump that shit with a pair of Westinghouse J46-WE-8 roller skates.”

        OO:41 after a long, mostly unproductive day at the “Fortress of Evil” – – – then seeing a few friends before my upcoming trip to California early next month.

        Thanks CJ, I needed that good laugh!

    1. Oh after the desgnitaed room then Nigeria took me to exam room made me appt with radiologist her cousin so to speak on outdated equipment so the it made phony results with barium. But I found hidden specialty clinic advocate through quality mngr gastro stuck scope in stomach blockage due to nodules in duodenum, as I had her story nodules in military. But damage done everlasting stomach ailments from taking years to put a scope Now I would like to stick that scope up Aztec and leave it there. Lol

    1. @Benjamin and all, the VHA and VBA have lied so much and are so corrupt that the VA does not even have baselines at all in either VHA or VBA to even start the process of improving anything about anything in the VA.
      The whole administration has such fraudulent data in all aspects of the VA that I do not believe the VA can even be turned around. Nobody wants to be ethical and honest anywhere or about anything so even just small improvements could be made. Improvements cannot occur without credible, reliable, and valid data. The VA is just almost like Venezuela. A disaster. The whole federal government seems to be a disaster.

      1. +Angela,
        You must not forget “credible, reliable and valid” + honorable and trustworthy employees!
        Without those types of employees there will be no change in VA!

      2. This is beyond making some adjustments. Fact is they have in numbers employees liking and scheming to keep corrupted. Since when does government medical care create methods to retaliate harass stalk in such a systemic organized plan. There has to be more than a paycheck and benefits involved. No accurate inventory, drugs money equipment. A whole number of issues will underline who is profiting? Big bucks in contracting, I am sure if it is local they want ppl just like they are. So to speak veterans r bottom barrel of shit. I once went to a CBC n someone I knew retired IRS sitting in hall waiting to see the best doctor there the one Yahweh h ad nurse wouldn’t schedule vets with. Clerks scheduled me with him got bronkytis mess at local pharmacy. She found out n steamed at clerks and set me up for special exam room with Nigeria, for humiliation. You can bet regional th whole state was told I went on CBC Facebook and saw clerks with a minister I guess blessing that room. Nurses were receiving awards she wasn’t there. IRS guy sees me and runs other way he is not veteran.

      3. @Crazy Elf, yes sir!!!! Thanks for further adding to my message. Yes, the principles mentioned are going to have to be applied and followed before the VA will be able to see the light of day.

    2. Now 5 floors flooded by one pipe at Manchester hmmmn sounds like the squad in mode. Destructive intimidation. Still everyone else elated with news, stay tuned more will come. Keep flushing your paychecks in now the flowing floors of ur employment. H

      1. The pressure on keep it going they can’t handle truth be told. Now their bragging rights to community, friends and family EXPOSED! Not enough yet.

    3. It just turns my stomach as the interim director now at Manchester retired Air Force says he gets 100% of his care at VA. Da how ignorantly statement. For one second does he think he subject to the same standard many r subject too? Especially those who reported etc. I here same from SVO’s well of course, they are avoidants to true nature of what goes on n as long I get mine who cares. And I’m going to brag all abt it. They don’t have one that will walk in and say what the hell are you doing? Years on end they have been told atrocities going on, it takes media exposure it seems only to get responses. It is hopeless all other avenues, they laugh out loud at politicians oil and say they can’t tell the what to do. Even though they implement laws to follow. Broken systematic mess. Shulkin needs only outsiders for help. And keep insiders been there for years and never took action.

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