VA Malpractice Settlements Tripled Since 2011

VA Malpractice

The total amount of VA payments for settlements including VA malpractice has more than tripled since 2011.

The largest portions of the increase are linked to spikes in medical malpractice claims and bungled construction projects. Total payments for 2015 totaled $338 million, but in 2011 the total amount was $98 million. The total paid out since 2011 is $848 million.

Apparently none of the reforms implemented in the past two decades have succeeded in increasing patient safety within VA medical centers nationwide. The Phoenix VA scandal certainly highlights this reality faced by concerned veterans every day.

RELATED: Beware Of Surgery At VA

VA MALPRACTICE

Some of the biggest payouts were for:

  • An army veteran who died from internal bleeding in Cleveland after complications from a routine gallbladder removal surgery.
  • A Gulf War tanker in Atlanta suffering from serious depression who suffocated to death following an electro shock therapy session that went awry.
  • And a Vietnam veteran in St. Petersburg, Fla. who died from colon cancer after his doctor ignored red flags on an annual medical test for three years.

Substandard care is highlighted as the primary cause of the increased payouts. Over the past decade, critics indicate the agency has done little to improve treatment and prevent malpractice

“After nearly a decade, major reform at the Department of Veterans Affairs is long overdue,” said Daniel Epstein, executive director of the watchdog group Cause of Action.

There is no question as to why VA continues to lag behind private sector care options. Individual employees are not held accountable for wrongdoing and American taxpayers foot the bill whenever VA is taken to task.

When a petulant child fails to repent for bad behavior, what do you do?

When VA officials behave like a petulant child after being caught engaging in bad behavior that harms or kills veterans, what should we do?

Lots of questions need to be answered this election cycle, and I will be curious to see what proposals are pushed forward.

Source: https://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/legal-settlements-veterans-affairs-triple-article-1.2654179

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66 Comments

  1. I want to know why I cannot unsubscribe ? Why is there no obvious place to unsubscribe ?
    Thanks,
    Ken Hatley

  2. Why aren’t the vets who have complained of horrid care by the VA been interviewed by Congress members for the damn truth of it all?. And when it comes to costs, well that doesn’t stop them from soaking the taxpayers every year no matter what. None of the legislators want to hear about what is truly going on. Maybe it would show just how inept they all really are with spending our tax payer money and their screwed up enacting of bills and policy making that has nothing to do with the American people’s needs and all because they rather listen to the morally corrupt, those who have other ideas for our tax dollars

    Health care for civilian injured workers (and now anybody else that is a patient) is as abysmal as it gets with many of the same problems as our vets and nobody gives a rat’s ass about us either. NOBODY. Senator Bernie Sanders tried o give it a shot but congress don’t have to listen to anyone or do any meaningful legislation for us injured working idiots

    All we do is give someone access to money out of our claims (via the insured corporations) for anything other than medical care with the government’s giant OK.. Who cares if we commit suicide or live with the many type of disabilities and illnesses caused by employers and by the qacko whacko bird doctors who get paid big bucks to do the experiments.
    The pharmaceuticals that make many billions with experimental drugs too that will cause even more problems down the road and maybe if we’re really lucky we’ll be prescribed a whole bunch of meds and then OD.

    The insurance company will pay those who harm even more through the experimentation but won’t pay for what is really needed. It is a real savings all the way around for those who have dole out the checks. Yet the insurers act like they are the ones who should always make the decisions and they do via legislators in D.C. The insurance cartel runs the world as well as the VA.

    We’re damaged goods through no fault of our own and as any one who complains about the crappy system, the retaliation is immense & unforgivable. Yep, I was raised with morals, values, principles, ethics but none of these apply in today’s world when all it is about and concerned for, is the almighty dollar.

    This is what privatization brought since the Clinton’s but all they did was continue what those before him started. This means with privatization there is NO accountability, none, ever, from anyone, in our government. It’s all pure B.S.

    I still feel that all vets need to march to the D.C. buildings where they get to call out the leadership, all who should get a huge glimpse of how many people they’ve hurt and give them their walking papers. They for the most part deserve a lifetime in the slammer if not more for all the murderous and heinous things they’ve done to so many of our vets.

    I’m sorry about the rant, but it is wildly insane and repugnant of our own government to treat American vets this way and doing it to those who worked in this country.No American citizen deserves to be betrayed by American legislators.

      1. Thanks but I worked for a federal contractor that receives billions every year that is perhaps the biggest farce of a health care system (Kaiser) and in fact gives the VA the same instruction to the same type of management & same type of rotten medical care. Evidently it is all about giving criminals billions to give those billions for something other than what is intended.Folks would go ballistic if they really knew what is done with tax payer money.
        I am very sure at there are good employees who care but once they open their mouth, they’re ostracized and retaliated against as though they were enemy#1. I too know that one, as does some others who are either broken or dead. I might not see justice in this lifetime but hell will sure be full of those who chose favors or money at the expense of heinous crimes against others.
        My prayers are for us every day and I hope GOD hears us soon and gives these human demons their comeuppance once and for all.

      2. I understand fully. On the news they undercover interviewed s guy who works for s genetic company that takes blood. Urine so forth from people.

        And billing tri care over and over the was caught stating they would bully the doctor’s. By telling them their scum. For not wanting to help cancer patient’s. By using their testing.

        He said they were charging $16.000 for s test and billing tricare.

        But dropped the price to $8000 because if they kept charging the larger amount they would get caught.

        To hid surprise all of America ? him. So many scams and liers and whom think the truth would never come out. !

        Prison for this guy and the doctor in charge. Of course the doctor denied the charges and drive off !

        Thanks for your input. Amazing !

      3. I for one am sick of the care by our Prosthetic Chief and the now acting Medical Director at the Prescott, VA in Northern Arizona. I have been fighting for a devise that I have 3 seperate doctors Letters of Medical Neccessity. I have to be on a seriously high amount of Pain Meds to just be able to live a 1/4 part of the life I should be. I filled a Claim for Damages against them. I have so much written proof of how Piatt not only illegall held it on his desk for 6 months, but he also blatantly lied to Congressman Gozar and Senator Mcain. Instead he lied and said he cancelled my appeal on June 04, 2015, then reopened it in December of 2015. But I have all the documentation, and my Letters of Medical Neccessity are dated from mid to late July. I also have a letter from my VA Neurologist that told the truth, stating what they are doing and how it has affected my family life and medical disposition. Including Patient Advocates that have said this case was never closed. All this after filling a complaint that had to be taken care of by Allison Hickey before she retired, for refusing my needed wheelchairs and being denied in 5 straight boards at this VA.Good luck to all and never stop fighting for help. God bless, Timothy Ramos

    1. Why aren’t vets injured by the VA interviewed by Congress?

      Because not a one of them is affected by the problem and will do the hard work of investigating it.

      Throughout the 90s when I was doing a lot of work for Gulf War veterans, I cannot tell you how many times I heard from VA or DOD officials, and even congressional sides that whatever we reported was just anecdotal evidence. It did not matter what proof was provided. If by a court room standard it is considered anecdotal evidence, then they should get off their lazy ass and investigate and find the proof for themselves. Very few of them would. Same with the media. Very few would investigate beyond a soundbite.

      1. Senator’s Bennett’s office told me that all they can do is make inquires and that’s it !

        Told even when the evidence proves the veterans were right and the VA admits they did not have any proof !

        The senator can not do anything about it ! I had asked many time’s to tell my story And never got a reply. !

        So it’s a catch 22 and veterans are caught in the middle ! They are in no man’s land.

        And SOL !

      2. Bennett’s office is absolutely worthless when it comes to doing anything for veterans when they call, but he repeatedly has comments for the media when they write a story about how bad the VA is like in Colorado Springs.

        I have been fighting the VA for a few months now over them repeatedly billing my insurance for service connected care. After I recently found they continued to do it regardless of my contacting them to stop, including the director being well aware of the problem, I decided to stop being nice and went scorched earth on them. I am fed up with dealing with their incompetence or attitude that I can’t do anything to them.
        I emailed McDonald, Shulkin, Bevins, and Pummill since February at least and got no response. I asked Congressman Tipton for a formal inquiry, and copied his office on emails to McDonald. I also copied Bennett and Gardner’s office. Still with no response, I contacted the state insurance fraud department, have opened an IG investigation, then filed a FOIA request for documents related to this.
        After several non responses to emails from McDonald’s office, I finally asked again stating nothing was being done, and copied the Congressional or Senate offices mentioned above. McDonald finally responded with a somewhat smart ass response before Memorial Day weekend. I responded back and let him have it.
        Yesterday I got a phone message from the local VA. I got a call from the FOIA officer this morning saying they were responding by tomorrow with about 360 documents. I returned the voice message from the other guy who told me they received a congressional inquiry yesterday and had about an hour and a half to respond to it.

        Throughout this, I have gotten little or no response from Bennett’s office. I called his Denver office and left a voice mail for his Vets Affairs aide. After no response, I called his Washington office and got a snarky response from his aide there. A couple days later I got an email from his local office from a woman who is overworked because the rest of his staff is so worthless.

        I’m done playing their childish games.

      3. Why have senators or congressmen when they won’t even answer inquires and when they do what ever the other person writes to them.

        No matter if they admit the veteran was right. They do not do anything else. !

        Seems Like if the VA admits to wrongdoings. Your senators would demand corrective action. Take place !

        Nope. They tell the veterans. Sorry but all we can do is make inquires and can not take any other action. !

        Seems our officials have a name Senator and they have no power’s to help their citizens !

        Just leave them out to dry. !

        Bennett. Will not get this veterans vote. ! He has not earned it. !

        They seem the only thing they can do for their citizens. Is spend their hard earned monies !

        Hell. Anyone can do that. !

      4. How much money from the insurer is given to back whole federal government, government agencies, to states, counties, cities from insurance companies and the VA has its own selfinsurance in rebates, annuities from not paying out much of anything for vets. making money by not spending any.
        Maybe protecting private and government insurance interests are why our legislators don’t do anything for us and they do take money from corporations like insurance and pharmaceuticals, so they don’t have to listen to us American civil servants or vets. The whole government is self insured and makes money by not paying anything out like medical care. I call it kick backs. The more money that isn’t spent on vets that need care, the more money the VA can make to reinvest for more investments and who is in charge of that?.

      5. @ 91vet
        I read your situation above, just shaking my head about Sen. Bennett (snarky-no-malarkey) and McDoushe-Bag (mr. smart-ass). This is quite a time-consuming ordeal they are putting you through. One has no other choice but to go scorch-earth on these dung-bags…all of them…and I can’t blame you They are without question EVIL. So you are waiting for the Congressional Inquiry to happen?

      6. Am I waiting on the inquiry? Yes. But everything else I mentioned is happening at the same time.
        The FOIA response should be here tomorrow.
        I need to follow up with the IG investigator. He requested specific documents which I gave him.
        Am I waiting on McDonald or some other flunky to respond? Hell no. But I will keep emailing them until I get one.
        Am I waiting on Bennett’s office? No. His office is as worthless as the Senate VA committee.
        I still might contact the House VA committee.

  3. Without punishment, they have no reason to correct the problem. Vets get injured by Dr’s who dont do thier job right, the Vet dies. Dr still works for the VA, in a different state, and nothing can be done to make him accountable because the VA refuses to fire him.

    That is a disgrace. Any MD who is continuously guilty of malpractice should NOT work on 1 vet, let alone, thousands per year. The MD should not be shielded by the VA, they should face the consequences of their acts and be answerable directly to and in civil and criminal courts. The VA is NOT a military branch of our government, yet the protections afforded military doctors cover VA doctors in the same manner. The tax payer is the victim as well, having to cover the damage caused by the incompetent idiots that the VA refuses to fire.

  4. No proposals will actually work. The VA is unfit – continuing to NOT make friends with community providers in their asshole “Choice” program instead of the opposite like their lying initiative stated. Nobody can stand this organization/department, yet it is forcibly shoved down our throats. Their is no fix ever – never will be. It’s the culture. It’s the union. It’s the McD/Gibson/Shulkin juggernaut . It’s all of Congress. It’s OIG. It’s the general public. And it’s the way corporate America runs the whole government bailiwick. Like it or not. They have the money, the force and the advice of think tanks to make it roll along. And they will do it the same way forever. Yes, it IS that BAD.

    1. Page,

      While I do agree with most of what you have to say about the VA. Personally I have seen some accomplishments that have had a profound charge on the VA brought on by this sites administrator and a local news organization.

      Also I believe that others are also making major contributions toward change at the VA.

      But as far as ever being able to trust the VA again with my health care that day will never come.

      Fighting for change to help others Veterans who are still using VA health is well worth doing.

      1. @Seymore Klearly

        I can’t wait for the day when VA employees, from top to bottom, receive their “just rewards” for screwing the people who defended their Constitutional Rights to be asswipes!

      2. @crazyelf- That ‘day’ might be just outside/below the ‘pearly gates’, in the fiery depths of that neighborhood called HELL.

    2. Only 1 way to fix it. Start over ! Have the old train the new and out the door.

      Pay them as short term contractor’s to train them and then their gone !

  5. I just want to say I almost died from the VA malpractice on November 25th 2014 a bad misdiagnosis I almost died in front of my daughter when they found out what’s wrong with me I had 2 hours to live they settled with me through my lawyer 137000 he was very good lawyer I’d recommend him any day I found him in the VFW magazine but the point is I’m still not well it’ll be with me the rest of my life the pain from the thoracic surgery the thing I didn’t understand though about the whole lawsuit thing why would the VA just give me the maximum amount of money that doesn’t really help anyways I could have given part of it too and simplify finder Wounded Warriors or anybody why would they want to negotiate with me when they knew they made the mistake and they told me they knew they made a mistake but .never did get a letter of apology as if I wanted one but they should have asked anyway thank you gary

    1. I’m happy that your not one that died and got something before you died.

      Many have not and for an apologize. You will never will get one!

      Sometimes. That’s all that it would take for a veteran to be satisfied !

      But. No the VA would rather keep a lie alive. Than to admit an error had occured !

      God forbid. The VA never makes mistakes. That would mean their Human !

      Remember. Lie. Lie. Die. !

  6. Crazyelf,the last Dr at my VAndroid told me they would not test me anymore for cancers ,he asked me who had tested & why,I told him my prior PCP before all this opioid scandal,& why ,because my family plagued with cancer gene bracca2 Gma mother & Sisters bone Cancer uncle & gioblasti,my father at 51,I had colonoscpy several time with old Dr ,but this new PCP,said no .more info asked why? He gave me some Bullshit story studies show nothing you can do,if your gonna get your gonna get it Cancer,,So this was last time I went to VA facilities here in Mt Vernon Mo,or anywhere for that matter,they took me off many many Meds won’t test me for cancer,can’t get my teeth fixed because they make it as complicated as they can drive 2& half hours for x-rays come back 6 months later ,.& Now they perform sex change ops ,WTF, I tried to go to civilian Dr I was told to go back to the VA,his nurse said he wouldn’t do that BS meanwhile my head rings my vision fried and many teeth missing,.I hate em all from the top down

    1. Not to get your blood pressure up anymore…but…

      Regarding that sex change operation rule change, if you research it a little, it appears to be driven by a psychologist from Boston who has done research on the subject, and is now the director of LGBT Program for Patient Care Services, and has done research on this. Research that likely had a conclusion before it ever started.
      Jillian Shipherd is her name, and according to her research, they have only been able to identify 3177 teams vets getting care in the VA…and that appears to be a very liberal counting.
      Further searching shows this has been quietly pushed in the VA starting in about 2007, but ramping up in 2009, with some VAs just choosing on their own to provide transgender medical procedures such as hormone therapy.
      There is an Arizona Daily Star article on it from 2009. Perhaps if they paid attention to providing care for all vets that needed it rather than this that affects so few, and under any other circumstances would be a pre existing condition, they wouldn’t have to manipulate wait lists.
      What will be interesting is to see how this might be accepted throughout the VA given the VA employs so many foreign doctors. Some from cultures where gay people are thrown off buildings.

      Finally, the proposed rule change and even the research on this uses a lot of words like, estimates, possible, may, requires further research, etc. In other words, a whole lot of uncertainty, but the VA now wants to provide the entire range of care based on such minimal research.

      Meanwhile Vietnam vets fought over 40 years for medical care for Agent Orange related diseases, Gulf War veterans have fought for 25 years for research and medical care, the VA is behind the times regarding TBI injuries and Hepatitis C veterans have to beg for care while VA doctors get rich.

      I find it ironic that in the text of the proposed rule change, they cite what might be widely accepted in the medical community. Yet for other service connected issues, the VA will fight tooth and nail against what that same medical community has known for years.

  7. It’s too bad. That veterans have to die. Before someone is held accountable and they really are not being held accountable !

    They money they pay out is not theirs and the employees go on doing wrong and nothing is done to the employees.

    When the VA. Makes a mistake they will never admit it ! Even when the evidence shows other wise.

    How can a veteran be accused of something and the accuser. Does not have to produce evidence or do they have to face the veterans in a forum. Where the veterans Or counsel can cross examin them.

    Private. Agency.? How can they be private. They are receiving public fund’s. IF it’s s private agency who owns it !

    Again. It’s really bad that a person has to die and then the family has to jump through hoops !

    In order to find justice. !

    What makes a government employee exempt from federal and state law’s. !

    The VA and other government agencies employees. Must face the same judiciary system. Just like every other American.

    IF. I or any other person or personnel become disruptive or breaks any other law. They should be held accountable by someone other than themselves !

    Who. Authorized this self policeing anyway.?
    Who Authorized them to take away any and all rights of veterans to defend themselves. By taking away their Civil. Constitutional and Bill of right’s. !

    They do so with impunity and the veterans pay the price. !

    Since when is evidence. Not required before punishing anyone !

    Hear say can not be used in a court of law and the VA is not the law !

    Therefore. The disruptive committee is illegal and they need to abolish this committee and if they accuse a veteran of disruptive behavior. They should be able to face a judge. Legal judge and if found guilty. They pay the fine !

    And. If they are found not guilty. The accuser is charged. With making false charges And they pay the fine or serve jail time.

    And the veterans will have the right to hold all employees responsible. As they could have stopped the employees from making false allegations and did nothing and let the lie (live) and the veterans having to pay the price. !

    The VA state’s we can not change record’s. When those allegations were fact. !

    How can something be fact. ! When they can not produce one piece of evidence and let the very same employee making the allegations answer any and all correspondence themselves. !

    They know they did the veterans an injustice and the employees lied and the veterans can not defend themselves!

    Director. Tells a senators office. Due to the disruptive behavior behavior allegations. Nothing was ever done to the veteran.?

    Stating his official medical records were never coded for disruptive behavior and his official medical records were never Red flagged and he was never punished for the reported disruptive behavior and we never conducted any investigation. !

    Thanks VA. For falsely accusing a 100 percent disabled veteran. Who was shot in the head and is suffering with a TBI. !

    Worked for the VA for. 22 year’s. Received numerous performance awards. Had the director appointed the veteran as chairman of an important committee. !

    A veteran who served 3 year’s active duty and six year’s with the national guard as a medic. Be falsely accused of disruptive behavior!

    And without any evidence. Tell that veteran in writing. If we are told again. (Hearsay) !

    You will be arrested and federal charges placed upon you and you will be banished from all VA care. !

    Way to go VA. !

    This is the truth and I have all the evidence needed to prove it. !

    What are you ? of the truth and you might be embearassed. So what that’s no reason to keep a lie alive.

    And not give the veterans a chance to defend themselves !

    1. James,

      You certainly have a rough life under the spell of the disruptive committee. It seems clear by your post that they are still very much in control of your mind.

      Good Luck James!

      1. You have no idea. I have strived to be the best person I could be.

        My parent’s were so giving of themselves to ensure his brother’s and sister’s had a place to live after their parent’s passed away !

        I seen how important that was to them and they showed how grateful they were to them for caring.

        They all became successful and passed it on down. All of us kid’s grew up. In a loving home.

        We were taught to respect everyone. Even if they did not deserve it !

        We. Were taught two wrongs does not make s right and I did my best to serve my country. As many of my family did.

        Worked hard. Raised a family and gave my life to the federal government.

        And to have some disgruntled employee. Who unraveled everything I had accomplished in my life !

        By lieing about me being disruptive and the department of Veterans Affairs. Turning their back on me and using hearsay and not demanding the employee furnish the required proof !

        I am having a hard time. Trying to teach my grandchildren. That honesty is the only way to go. When they see for themselves that the truth will not set you free !

        I am a proud man and even after the VA. Refused me treatment for my PTSD and TBI. I gave them an honest employee and they didn’t care about everything. I have accomplished.

        It’s, the fact that I did nothing wrong and no one has any proof. To prove other wise !

        And then to have some one punish me and then. Threaten me with federal charges and arrest and banishment from all VA care and do so without any evidence !

        Would you no be worried about being arrested. For something you never did in the first place.

        Yes it bothers me. Because I know if they would do this to me. They are doing it to many other veterans !

        And that is unacceptable to me and should concern every veteran and citizen.

        When. The government let’s and agency act as a judiciary component of the justice system and act as accuser. Judge. Jury. Prosecutor and punisher !

        And them take away any and all rights. All America’s are guaranteed as Americans. Yes it bothers me !

        That’s like me stating I seen you rob a bank and the bank manager holds a meeting with other bankers and find you guilty and punishes you and all they used was hearsay from me. !

        You tell them wait a minute. Where’s the proof ! We don’t need any proof. James friend said it was true !

        And you say oh yea. Show me the proof and the banker tells you. Well we have no proof. But James friend confirmed it !

        Then you write to someone to help you (congressman) and they send the inquiry to me to answer. I accused you. Do you think. I’m going to write back. No he did not do it. I was lieing !

        Don’t think so !

        Remember. I use to work with the employee. Who accused me and she did not like me. Because the director appointed me as the new Hispanic coordinator.

        That was the position. That the employee who accused use to hold and it pissed her off that the director appointed me !

        This pissed her off so much. That she seen a chance to retaliate and she took full advantage of it.

        If. They would have given me a chance to defend myself and I was able to bring in other employees to defend me.

        I would have been vindicated. !

        I only believe in written evidence or evidence period. When someone let’s Hearsay as evidence and you have no say about it Uncle it should bother you too !

        What do you think. I’m making something out of nothing. !

        If they could do this to me ! They have and will continue to punish veterans. Whom they just don’t like !

        Don’t you think evidence. Should be required.

        Remember. This employee is lead administrator at my local clinic and has lived here all her life and many of the employees. Were her childhood friends !

        I have requested that a polygraph test be conducted on me. The employee accusing me and anyone else that confirmed the allegations !

        I am the type of person. Who if did something wrong. Would accecpt the consequences and go on with my life.

        But. I will never stop trying to stop this illegal committee from punishing any other inocent veterans !

        Rant. Over. Hope you see where I’m coming from !

        Have a great day !

      2. James,

        What I am hearing is that you are not only collecting 100% VA disability, a full pension from the VA, Social Security and Medicare, but your life is in shambles because the disruptive committee interfered with your being treated at a VA Facility.

        That is truly some strong Voodoo the committee put on you.

        Again Good Luck James!

      3. Yes. I worked 25 year’s federal service. 22 with the VA ! During those 25 year’s. The VA Refused me treatment for my PTSD and after forty year’s. Finding out I had been living with a TBI. From being shot in the head point blank while in the service.

        The VA where I worked was in a mess and they did not tell the employees that they were going to close it.

        They started doing away with positions and they kept transferring me from one job to another. Some job’s were above what I could handle and it brought my PTSD to the forefront.

        I advised management.that they were lieing to the employees and they needed to be told the truth !

        Since. The VA Refused me treatment for PTSD. I went to see mental health through the employees program. That was offered to employees. Once the truth came out about the closing of the facility.

        That’s where the doctor Told me. That my PTSD.was being exacerbated by the department closing and them transferring me from job to job.

        So. Yes I’m getting retirement after 25 year’s of federal service0and after suffering for forty year’s with PTSD and a Traumatic brain injury and only after hiring an attorney out of Topeka Kansas Did I become service connected for my PTSD. !

        I don’t get the other monies you”re speaking about ! Only what I deserved.

        And yes it bothers me a lot that someone can lie about another person in this country and be punished with no (0) evidence !

        Is there a problem. !

        Seems Like you want to make me sound like. I’m doing something illegal or just a winer !

        I am not ashamed of anything I done in my life ! My parent’s passed on good traits. !

        It’s called morals. !

      4. James,

        I am not saying you are doing anything wrong. Also sorry I inferred that you were receiving 100% VA disability, a full pension from the VA, Social Security and Medicare. After checking I see that I was wrong since Social Security is included in your Federal Employees retirement package and as a retiree you receive Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program and Medicare.

        The very simple point that I am trying to make is that you are receiving Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program and Medicare, 100% VA disability, and Federal Employees retirement package which includes Social Security. But your life is in shambles because the
        disruptive committee interfered with your being treated at a VA Facility.

        That is truly some strong Voodoo the committee put on you.

      5. No Medicare. No insurance. Gave up the insurance. Since I’m 100 percent. Thought I would get good care. But that employee and the disruptive committee and their red flagging and I’d 9 code

        Made sure I’ll never get that ! They treat you like a criminal. All because an employee did not like me.

        Some people like the chief of staff at the Denver are so smart. They become dump !

        And don’t ask questions before acting !

        They put into my records if they (EVER) hear that I become disruptive. I will be arrested.federal charges and banishment from all VA ❤ !

        You know(EVER) is a long time. To worry is this the day. These out of control employees are going to make up another lie !

        Remember. Hearsay is good enough !

        Proof not required. The chief of staff and the employees. Will have a higher power to answer to. But that don’t help the living !

      6. James,

        The good news since you are federal retiree you are eligible for Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program and Medicare. It is something you have earned by your 22.5 years of service to the VA you cannot opt out you are eligible.

        With that 22.5 years of paying dues to the AFGE it must be very unsettling to have their protection end as you walk out the door of the VA. Only to be treated as some common ordinary Veteran off the Streets by the VA after that protection has ended.

        The nerve of that employee treating you like some Veteran off the streets by place misleading and false information in your medical record. With those false comments kicking in the wrath of the disruptive committee.

        With the committees actions leaving your life in total shambles: to quote you “And to have some disgruntled employee. Who unraveled everything I had accomplished in my life !

        By lying about me being disruptive and the department of Veterans Affairs. Turning their back on me and using hearsay and not demanding the employee furnish the required proof !”

        Have you contacted the AFGE to see if maybe they might help considering you were a member in good standing for 22.5 years. There is no way they should be allowed to treat you like some common ordinary Veteran off the Streets.

        After all how can anyone expect you to be able to pick up the pieces and go on with your life when all that you are receiving is 100% VA Disability, Federal Employees retirement package which includes Social Security and as a Federal retiree you are eligible for Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program and Medicare.

        The nerve of the VA and their disruptive committee trying to treat you like some common ordinary Veteran off the streets, trying to treat you as they treat someone like me. Although the disabilities, pain and financial hardship caused by my experience with VA Health Care are monumental in comparison to yours. I am after all just a common ordinary Veteran off the Streets.

        Good Luck James!!

      7. Your a smart ass ! Probably a VA employee. I am just like every other veteran and they are not average street veterans as you out it.

        Put the liquor away and get real. I can smell it from here !

        Anyone with half a brain can see right through your stupid comment.

        I don’t expect anyone to feel sorry for me. But I do expect some respect and it seems to me the only one you respect is yourself and your booze. !

        I don’t need luck ! I need someone with sense to look into the matter and stop employees from hurting my fellow veterans.

        Why are you being such a wise ??? Anyway !

      8. James,

        First James I do not drink any alcoholic beverages and I do not use drugs. As for prescriptions for medications I have none. Although to quote my last civilian doctor on the subject of medications “patient refusing Percocet and Lora-tab.” and to quote my last civilian physical therapist “Patient refusing to take Pain medication.”. But believe me I am very capable with wearing a brace and the use of hot and cold packs and limiting use to control pain.

        As for medical coverage I do not have any. Although I was on Medicaid Health Net stopped paying the bills so they all started to go into collections. All because I would not sign a medical release for Health Net to share my medical records with the VA. This was a number of years back before the choice program. It had something to do with as administrators of the Medicaid Program, Health Net has the right to bill the party responsible for my medical condition. Which in my case was the VA.

        I am sorry here I am going on about my personal problems how self centered of me. Now on to more important problems James.

        But first let me apologizes for the last paragraph in my last post where I said

        “The nerve of the VA and their disruptive committee trying to treat you like some common ordinary Veteran off the streets, trying to treat you as they treat someone like me. Although the disabilities, pain and financial hardship caused by my experience with VA Health Care are monumental in comparison to yours. I am after all just a common ordinary Veteran off the Streets.”

        It is clear that it upset you after reading your response. After all I have only been dealing with my medical issues caused by the VA since June of 1999, and you have had to work there for more that 22 Years. How inappropriate of me and politically incorrect to compare our two situations.

        Back to you James and your curse from the disruptive committee that is destroying your since of well-being.

        You really should contact the AFGE Union and see if at the very least they could refer you to an attorney. I mean they definitely are connected to some very great legal minds with all the actions with great results they have take to protect wrong doers at the VA.

        Given your case is about a former employer taking actions against a former employee. For an example of one such case search Google News using “Richard Lambert fbi”.

        Going that route you would not be confined to the same system of injustice that us common ordinary off the streets type Veterans are faced with.

        Any How Wish You the Best of Luck James.

      9. My major point is that the VA disruptive committee is acting as a judiciary component of the justice department.

        They accuse. Prosecute. Act as judge jury and punisher !

        They are able to do this with impunity and we veterans are not able to defend ourselves in anyway !

        Hell. The IG reported the VA can not even define what constitutes disruptive behavior !

        Or what paperwork is required to confirm the allegations !

        So. The VA employees can run amuck and can claim disruptive behavior at any time. Their in a bad mood and a sick veteran. Should question them about something !

        They teach every employee. People are afraid when they enter any hospital. Because their sick and are afraid what they might be told. You have cancer or something else. Their stressed out and employees should feel compassion.

        Not feel the veterans are mad at them. Their stressed and should not punish veterans for being sick !

        Ben. Just reported 3 top management personnel were fired for their role in mismanagement !

        They are called liers !

        Thanks

    2. @James

      James, I agree with Seymore Klearly.
      You’ve definitely had a rough life because of the disruptive committee.
      I’m not being rude, when I ask, “Have you ever tried “meditating”? I learned it over in Hawaii. I lived there for about ten (10) years. It definitely helps when “STRESS” is at its highest.
      I suggest researching it and maybe trying it. It wouldn’t hurt. Especially if it works, right!?
      Good Luck Brother!

      ____________________________

      On yesterdays post, you asked what “La Raza meant?” That I do not know.

      I do know this. The Attorneys’ Group, (est. 1971), the La Raza Law Firm in San Diego, Calif., that the “Federal Judge adjudicating Trump U” belongs to – has “Endorsed” the “National Council of La Raza”, or NCLR, (est. 1968). Which is an “extremely liberal left wing group”! (I never said they were a “terrorist group”!)
      This group, the NCLR, advocates for lax, (or no), border entry restrictions and an easier pathway for illegal immigrants to achieve citizenship amoung other issues. Which is what the Obama administration is doing and lying to the American Public over!

      Google their name, “National Council of La Raza” to get more info!

      ____________________________

      1. Elf,

        If I remember from my Spanish courses “La Raza” translates in to the Race. I believe that it is a term used to show pride in ones Mexican Heritage.

        Although I could be wrong. I know some people claim that it is a term used to express a racist view point but I do not believe that is the case.

      2. I commented about what La Raza means, and that both they and MEChA are racist groups.

        I stand by that having read numerous news articles on their activities over the past 10+ years.

        In my opinion, they are little different from radical Muslims in how vicious they are in demanding what they want.

      3. Do a search using “Human Events La Raza”.
        Another good search would be “Michelle Malkin La Raza”.

        Or look them up on Wikipedia.

        All would provide good history on what the group has been doing, including opposing 911 security measures regarding immigration.

        Doing just a search on La Raza brings up a bunch of current news items because the media is trying to paint Trump as a racist. Other articles are trying to separate La Raza from the National Council of La Raza because they know La Raza is a bad group, but many politicians have pandered to La Raza including John McCain, so the media is trying to portray them as two different groups. They are not. Looking at older news articles will show they are the same.

        At one time La Raza may have had a good purpose fighting for migrant rights, but they have changed into a radical, racist group since their founding to the point even Cesar Chavez has criticized them as racist.

      4. Thanks. For the info. It’s never good. When good intentions get bad people in them and their mission changes.

        VA very good example. !

        Many people don’t do research and say things without thinking or doing the research !

        Thanks

      5. No problem James. Its frustrating to see good organizations get ruined, and then the activities of those organizations get covered up by the media.

        It fools good people who would otherwise never belong to the group.

        Like the Wounded Warrior group.

      6. La raza. English: the race ! Started back in the 1970’s. When all Hispanics were called Mexican !

        All it means is the Hispanic race. That were fighting for equality and justice for field workers.

        Different groups have names to separate themself from another group. So people won’t get them confussed with another group.

        Sort of like the nfl and afc have different names.

        As I stated. We have immigration law’s and other law’s and someone.somewhere is trying to update or change those law’s.

        But until. They are changed the law must be followed ! By everyone.

        We can’t let some people break the law and others follow it. No matter what law.

        The VA. Seems to break the law and everyday. Including murder !

        Thanks for your thoughts. I love reading your comments. If sometimes I go off subject. Remember I have a TBI !

      7. @James, Seymore Klearly and 91Veteran.

        I “HAD” a real good ‘debate’ going on with an “investigative journalist” from WFTV Channel 9 news here in Florida. Over the “racial comments” made against Mr. Trump on that Federal Judge adjudicating the alleged fraud case.
        My opinion was the judge should recuse himself. Or Trump’s attorneys should file redress against the judge.
        My opinion was because the judge belongs to the La Raza attorneys group, who have “publically endorsed” the “radical NCLR group”. He should recuse himself, because common sense would dictate such.
        Here’s another reason he, the judge, should be “censured”! One of “plaintiffs” dropped charges against Trump. Yet, the judge “disallowed it!”

        Pat Buchanan has defended Mr. Trump’s assault against the judge. This came out yesterday or the dqy before. Mr. Buchanan’s “bona fidies” stand far above many journalists! Especially those “Left Wing Radical Liberal Asswipes!” my opinion only!

  8. Hey Elf I responded below but so you don’t miss it here is another article people should read.

    An article published yesterday about what the Commision on Care is recommending in it’s report to Congress can be found at MilitaryTimes.

    The title is “Commission to propose Tricare-like system for VA”.


    A blue ribbon panel studying the future of Veterans Affairs health care is poised to recommend an overhaul to the system that would create a structure similar to the Pentagon’s Tricare program, where veterans could choose to use either the VA for their care or see a network provider.

    The goal, according to Commission on Care members, would be a more efficient version of the VA’s current system, in which the department provides direct care to most veterans, and those who live more than 40 miles from a VA facility or who cannot get an appointment in a month offered private care.

    Under the draft of the commission’s final report, all veterans enrolled in VA care would choose a primary care provider at the VA or from a civilian network.

    The plan would do away with the 30-day and 40-mile restrictions of the Veterans Choice program and create networks of physicians to care for former troops who prefer to see non-VA doctors.

    The Commission on Care was created by Congress in 2014 under the legislation that established the Veterans Choice program. It is tasked with reviewing the VA health system and making recommendations on its future.

    The panel’s final report is due by the end of June but on Tuesday, commissioners met in Washington to revise a rough draft of the final.

    That draft calls for creating a new structure, the VHA Care System, responsible for overseeing VHA facilities as well as preferred provider networks managed by contractors. An appointed board of directors would provide oversight to the entire Veterans Health Administration.

    The draft calls for phasing in the new system, starting in areas where it is most needed. It also calls for giving VA the authority to close underperforming VA hospitals and clinics.

    “Under this proposal, [VHA] becomes a care system, a more integrated model where every component of it is designed to deliver the best care to veterans,” commission chairwoman Nancy Schlichting said.

    The report also calls for giving some veterans who received other than honorable discharges access to VA health services. Under the draft, troops who have “substantial honorable service” before they got bad paper discharges would be considered for VA health care eligibility.

    The proposal also considers allowing VA to establish pilot programs that would provide veterans and spouses the option to purchase health care at VA.

    The estimated costs of these reform proposals were not available on Tuesday, but commissioners tossed out figures ranging from $100 billion to $1 trillion over 20 years.

    Schlichting said many factors contribute to cost estimates, including demand, cost savings from closures and realignments and improving information technology systems.

    But, she concurred, the reforms could be pricey.

    “I think we all agree if we increase choice, we increase costs,” Schlichting said. “Given the level of reform we are recommending, [VA] is going to need resources.”

    The department last year began a reform process known as MyVA, which aims to fix issues ranging from health care quality and access problems to information technology problems and the benefits appeals backlog.

    The 14-member commission has met 12 times since last September. Its work has been contentious, with veterans organizations, the White House and the VA speaking against any proposals to expand private care for veterans at the expense of VA medical centers and clinics.

    The commission will send its final report to Congress this month. Whether lawmakers will act on it remains to be seen, however. The Senate and House are considering legislative proposals to change the Veterans Choice program, ranging from expanding it to all enrolled veterans to requiring most veterans use private care.

    1. Regarding Rep Rodgers idea that was proposed in another article published to day regarding taking VAHC away from the VA and giving it to a NoN-Profit to manage. Just like the VSOs, AFGE, and the VA are claiming the Commission on Care is going to recommend. It’s all BullShit.

      Her timing also seems fueled by her multi-million dollar re-election campaign for 2016. Which Open Secrets .org shows her top 5 contributors are Pharmaceuticals/Health Products industry, Health Professionals industry, Securities & Investment organizations, and the Insurance industries. Industries that currently control legislation on VHC. They do not want to see any meaningful changes at the VA or any improvements at the VA for them they have invested for decades to get the VAHC System they have designed.

      Personally I believe her timing is to add fuel to the fire and circumvent any real change at the VA. Rodgers proposal is the fuel that the AFGE and VSOs are calling for to make it seem that Commission on Care is going to move to privatize the VA healthcare system.

      The Commission on Care’s creation was mandated by congress in the same act that provided the Veterans Choice program. The Commission on Care was mandated by Congress in Section 202 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act (VACAA) of 2014.

      You really should visit the Commission on Care’s Website by googling “Commission on Care”, if you want to know the truth. They are the accountability part of the Act that created Veterans Choice.

      As for Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers actions in the past let me quote her glowing recommendation on Sharon Helman.


      As testimony to her credibility in that role, both Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, a conservative Spokane Republican, and U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, a liberal Seattle Democrat, have lauded Helman and praised her appointment. Since both federal lawmakers have an interest in veterans and their care, and since both have committee assignments that affect the VA medical center, such bipartisan confidence – in the middle of a controversial war and a presidential election campaign, no less – make for a resounding testimonial.

      None of which means that the facility can ever escape all complaints and criticism. But Helman, who contends every complaint is a gift,

      That was when Helman was placed in charge of overseeing the epidemic of Veterans Suicides in the sate of Washington. Helman did a great job of covering up the problem before being promoted to Phoenix.

      Rodgers has done nothing for Veterans in the past and her non-starter proposal is sure to be used against any real change at the VA

      1. @Seymore Klearly

        Looks like “Politics and Politicians” are going to be USING veterans, AGAIN, for their re-election, PERIOD!

        Somehow “politics” has got to be removed from them so we can get GREAT HEALTHCARE!

      2. Elf,

        You are right it is politics as usual but I am hoping that the commission on care’s may achieve some good results. I know that there are some very high dollar figures being quoted in the news but since not all members of the commission are voting for change. I think they may be releasing some bogus numbers to sandbag acceptance of the report.

  9. Over three quarters of a billion dollars paid by taxpayers because an agency is completely incompetent, corrupt and indifferent to their mission.

    Yet according to some politicians, Veterans are completely satisfied with the care we receive.

    These payouts should that is either a blatant lie or those politicians are clueless.

    How about zero bonuses for managers of anyone sued for malpractice? How about firing those being sued? How about prosecuting those who cause deaths because of their incompetence and indifference?

    How about Congress finally get serious about oversight, and demanding competent leadership at all levels of the VA?

    How about I go ride my unicorn which I would have a better chance of doing than any of the above?

    But hey! Free sex changes for anyone that wants one! If you get an infection or die on the table, no problem.

    1. @91veteran-
      Made my afternoon after a morning full of medical stuff. 🙂 I think even the unicorn would be wary of the VA wanting to use it for rectal/prostate exams on Vets 🙂

      1. Certainly sound like that could be a very chitty deal for the Unicorn. As for the Vets the unicorn might be less of a risk then the scrubbed instruments used by the VA.

  10. Ben, under the equitable relief law/powers that congress gave Bob he can approve just about anything. I have seen $150 for a pee test to a vet to 11 million. A report was due to congress this past April. Last I heard no one in congress can find a copy. Appears Bob forgot to tell congress how he spent that money.

    1. VA trumpets that it has “an ethical and legal obligation to disclose to patients adverse events* they experienced during the course of their care, including when the adverse event event may not be obvious or severe, or where the harm may only manifest in the future,” and “VISNs and facilities must ensure that their staff provides appropriate and timely communication with patients and their families regarding Adverse Events that involve potential organizational liability…The patients and their families must be advised of appropriate remedial options [including] referral of patients to 38 U.S.C. 1151 claims process and tort claims process.” Sources: multiple, including VHA Handbook 1050.1.

      *VA defines “adverse event,” and even clarifies what it means (and doesn’t mean): “Definition of Terms … Although ‘adverse event’ is often used interchangeably with other terms such as ‘medical error’ […], there are some important differences. […] ‘medical error’ implies that there was a mistake in the provision of care, whereas ‘adverse event’ implies only that something bad happened, not that anyone did anything wrong.”

      VA never notified me of adverse events in my VAMC care. In fact, my VA doc actually wrote in my VAMC medical file that he didn’t discuss my concerns about delayed diagnosis of cancer, because he was concerned I might take legal action!

      Well, there was enough of “something bad [that] happened” in my VAMC “care,” for my 1151 claim to be upheld.

      Nevertheless, to date, VA has stonewalled me on equitable relief by saying “none of your doctors did anything wrong” (that’s a no-medical-error defense on VA’s part, and inapplicable), and by having their hired Gunn write my senator, to state – on the basis of a counterfactual premise (a counterfactual debunked by my C-file) – his conclusion that even if VA had referred me to the 1151 disability claims process, I wouldn’t have gotten 1151 benefits, so I was not deprived of benefits from lack of referral to the benefits claim process.

  11. The only problem is that you have to let the VISN that covers your VAMC look into it first before you can file charges.

    I know that because the head ortho surgeon in the Indianapolis VAMC almost killed me by refusing to do a surgery even though there was a bone shard sitting a few mm off my main vein running through my leg and could have poked a hole in my vein and I would have bled to death in my sleep. Yet when I filed a complaint it went nowhere and I was told that since the VA was a PRIVATE branch of the Government, I had to let them do their investigation first before I could file malpractice charges.

    Well sort of hard to do that when it has been 12 years and they still refuse to even start the investigation now isnt it, and its sort of hard to file any charges when VISN 11 hangs up on you the moment you mention your name.

    1. @Daniel Gray

      I understand perfectly!
      I HAD two very close friends the vamc in Daytona Beach, let die of cancer.
      One of some kind of lung cancer. The last one of Pancreatic Cancer!
      Because they, the so-called healthcare professionals didn’t EVER test them for said cancers! Even though my friends were informing the asswipes of certain “conditions” they were experiencing! The vamc never sent them anywhere to be tested.
      Then when my last buddy was so sick, the wife took him to an outside physician, he used his medicare, where he was diagnosed with “stage 4 pancreatic cancer!” It was just a few more months, and he “passed!”

      The problem I see with this crap is the VA is NEVER held accountable over anything!

  12. Breaking:
    This just out by
    “Stars and Stripes”! Through “Military Daily News”

    “House Proposal Would Give VA Hospitals to Nonprofit Corporation”

    8 June 2016
    by Travis J Tritten

    “Privatization” is on its way! A very scathing article concerning the VA! Especially concerning the lack of Healthcare we receive!
    How this will be received by the taxpayers and veterans is still up in the air!

    1. Hey Elf,

      While it is a great article and propose a a possible solution to some of the problems affecting Veterans Health Care it is also trouble to me.

      Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash proposal is coming just before the Commission on Care release of a finalized report in July. Her timing which precludes the report is only going to fuel added speculation that the commission report is moving toward privatization of the VA Health care system.

      Her timing also seems fueled by her multi-million dollar re-election campaign for 2016. Which Open Secrets .org shows her top 5 contributors are Pharmaceuticals/Health Products industry, Health Professionals industry, Securities & Investment organizations, and the Insurance industries. Industries that currently control legislation on VHC. They do not want to see any meaningful changes at the VA or any improvements at the VA for them they have invested for decades to get the VAHC System they have designed.

      Personally I believe her timing is to add fuel to the fire and circumvent any real change at the VA. Rodgers proposal is the fuel that the AFGE and VSOs are calling for to make it seem that Commission on Care is going to move to privatize the VA healthcare system.

      The Commission on Care’s creation was mandated by congress in the same act that provided the Veterans Choice program. The Commission on Care was mandated by Congress in Section 202 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act (VACAA) of 2014.

      You really should visit the Commission on Care’s Website by googling “Commission on Care”, if you want to know the truth. They are the accountability part of the Act that created Veterans Choice.

      As for Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers actions in the past let me quote her glowing recommendation on Sharon Helman.


      As testimony to her credibility in that role, both Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, a conservative Spokane Republican, and U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, a liberal Seattle Democrat, have lauded Helman and praised her appointment. Since both federal lawmakers have an interest in veterans and their care, and since both have committee assignments that affect the VA medical center, such bipartisan confidence – in the middle of a controversial war and a presidential election campaign, no less – make for a resounding testimonial.

      None of which means that the facility can ever escape all complaints and criticism. But Helman, who contends every complaint is a gift,

      That was when Helman was placed in charge of overseeing the epidemic of Veterans Suicides in the sate of Washington. Helman did a great job of covering up the problem before being promoted to Phoenix.

      Rodgers has done nothing for Veterans in the past and her non-starter proposal is sure to be used against any real change at the VA

      1. Also Elf,

        An article published yesterday about what the Commision on Care is recommending in it’s report to Congress can be found at MilitaryTimes.

        The title is “Commission to propose Tricare-like system for VA”.

        “A blue ribbon panel studying the future of Veterans Affairs health care is poised to recommend an overhaul to the system that would create a structure similar to the Pentagon’s Tricare program, where veterans could choose to use either the VA for their care or see a network provider.

        The goal, according to Commission on Care members, would be a more efficient version of the VA’s current system, in which the department provides direct care to most veterans, and those who live more than 40 miles from a VA facility or who cannot get an appointment in a month offered private care.

        Under the draft of the commission’s final report, all veterans enrolled in VA care would choose a primary care provider at the VA or from a civilian network.

        The plan would do away with the 30-day and 40-mile restrictions of the Veterans Choice program and create networks of physicians to care for former troops who prefer to see non-VA doctors.

        The Commission on Care was created by Congress in 2014 under the legislation that established the Veterans Choice program. It is tasked with reviewing the VA health system and making recommendations on its future.

        The panel’s final report is due by the end of June but on Tuesday, commissioners met in Washington to revise a rough draft of the final.

        That draft calls for creating a new structure, the VHA Care System, responsible for overseeing VHA facilities as well as preferred provider networks managed by contractors. An appointed board of directors would provide oversight to the entire Veterans Health Administration.

        The draft calls for phasing in the new system, starting in areas where it is most needed. It also calls for giving VA the authority to close underperforming VA hospitals and clinics.

        “Under this proposal, [VHA] becomes a care system, a more integrated model where every component of it is designed to deliver the best care to veterans,” commission chairwoman Nancy Schlichting said.

        The report also calls for giving some veterans who received other than honorable discharges access to VA health services. Under the draft, troops who have “substantial honorable service” before they got bad paper discharges would be considered for VA health care eligibility.

        The proposal also considers allowing VA to establish pilot programs that would provide veterans and spouses the option to purchase health care at VA.

        The estimated costs of these reform proposals were not available on Tuesday, but commissioners tossed out figures ranging from $100 billion to $1 trillion over 20 years.

        Schlichting said many factors contribute to cost estimates, including demand, cost savings from closures and realignments and improving information technology systems.

        But, she concurred, the reforms could be pricey.

        “I think we all agree if we increase choice, we increase costs,” Schlichting said. “Given the level of reform we are recommending, [VA] is going to need resources.”

        The department last year began a reform process known as MyVA, which aims to fix issues ranging from health care quality and access problems to information technology problems and the benefits appeals backlog.

        The 14-member commission has met 12 times since last September. Its work has been contentious, with veterans organizations, the White House and the VA speaking against any proposals to expand private care for veterans at the expense of VA medical centers and clinics.

        The commission will send its final report to Congress this month. Whether lawmakers will act on it remains to be seen, however. The Senate and House are considering legislative proposals to change the Veterans Choice program, ranging from expanding it to all enrolled veterans to requiring most veterans use private care.

  13. “What do you do with a petulant child who won’t repent…”?

    You can’t “beat a child!” Only, the VA “petulant child” IS NOT A CHILD!
    They’re grown men and women who need some kind of harsh punishment!
    That’s the problem. In the majority of cases no one has truely been chastised over their fubars!
    Right now, I could name a few who need to be sitting in prison. Possibly, a few should be on “Death Row” awaiting the harshest penalty – “EXECUTION!”

    BUT,
    They laugh at our lawmakers!

    The many who have been caught, were allowed to “retire with full benefits!”

    They laugh at veterans, who have concerns about their healthcare or other issues.

    Healthcare professionals, once caught violating the laws, are tranferred instead of being prosecuted!

    The union backs them no matter how large their screw-up was!

    If someone was/is held accountable, the OIG or other government agencies will try their best to cover it up!

    I could go on. We all know the “inmates are running the asylum!”
    Maybe it’s time for an “intervention” in the harshest degree?!

    1. @Ben, what are your “rules” for posting? you or your web hoster has deleted quite a few of my posts.

Comments are closed.