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It is time to shut down the VA?
RP Members what do you think? There are some points that the author makes that really hit home with me. Just looking for your feedback on this one!
LET ME CLARIFY THAT I'M NOT PERSONALLY RECOMMENDING THIS COURSE OF ACTION - THIS IS AN ARTICLE ONLY TO CREATE DISCUSSION, IDEAS, AND RESPONSES.
http://nypost.com/2015/09/24/a-permanent-solution-to-the-va-problem/
There is only one guaranteed way to get fired from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Falsifying records won’t do it. Prescribing obsolete drugs won’t do it. Cutting all manner of corners on health and safety is, at worst, going to get you a reprimand. No, the only sure-fire way to get canned at the VA is to report any of these matters to authorities who might do something about it.
That, at least, is what the US Office of Special Counsel recently reported to the president of the United States. The Special Counsel’s Office is the agency to which government whistleblowers go to report wrongdoing.
“Our concern is really about the pattern that we’re seeing, where whistleblowers who disclose wrongdoing are facing trumped-up punishment, but the employees who put veterans’ health at risk are going unpunished,” Special Counsel Carolyn Lerner recently told National Public Radio.
Now, obviously, this shouldn’t happen. Everyone, except perhaps the managers at the VA, probably agrees with that. So by all means, let’s have some reforms and further protections for whistleblowers.
But that’s not a real solution. The real fix is to get rid of the VA entirely.
RP Members what do you think? There are some points that the author makes that really hit home with me. Just looking for your feedback on this one!
LET ME CLARIFY THAT I'M NOT PERSONALLY RECOMMENDING THIS COURSE OF ACTION - THIS IS AN ARTICLE ONLY TO CREATE DISCUSSION, IDEAS, AND RESPONSES.
http://nypost.com/2015/09/24/a-permanent-solution-to-the-va-problem/
There is only one guaranteed way to get fired from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Falsifying records won’t do it. Prescribing obsolete drugs won’t do it. Cutting all manner of corners on health and safety is, at worst, going to get you a reprimand. No, the only sure-fire way to get canned at the VA is to report any of these matters to authorities who might do something about it.
That, at least, is what the US Office of Special Counsel recently reported to the president of the United States. The Special Counsel’s Office is the agency to which government whistleblowers go to report wrongdoing.
“Our concern is really about the pattern that we’re seeing, where whistleblowers who disclose wrongdoing are facing trumped-up punishment, but the employees who put veterans’ health at risk are going unpunished,” Special Counsel Carolyn Lerner recently told National Public Radio.
Now, obviously, this shouldn’t happen. Everyone, except perhaps the managers at the VA, probably agrees with that. So by all means, let’s have some reforms and further protections for whistleblowers.
But that’s not a real solution. The real fix is to get rid of the VA entirely.
Posted in these groups: 
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
What Would You Do
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) What Would You Do
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 53
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No, shutting down the VA is not the answer. We look at this article and forget VA home loans, education benefits, burials, and the myriad of other services the VA performs. We also forget the VA led the nation in medical development of hearing aids and proththesises. Don't throw the baby out with the bath water.
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Suspended Profile
What would the alternative be? Vouchers? As well as the Choice Card system has worked? I don't think so. It's damn near impossible in many places to find doctors that take Medicare or Tricare. What would veterans do?
COL Mikel J. Burroughs
LCDR Rabbi Jaron Matlow The draft has gone through several revisions based on input from others and like yourself. The finished product is about 10 to 12 pages and we will get in front of Congressman next to have his Staff review and see if its something he will introduce or Champion into Congress. It has a lot more meat and fixes to the orginial outline. Wish us luck!
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Suspended Profile
As we say in my world, Hatzlacha Rabbah - much success...
Sgt Carl Sorensen
Here in Northern Illinois Southern Wisconsin, the VA was going to shut down Downey VA Hospital with was directly across the street from Great Lakes Naval Training Center. They combined VA and Navy and it became James A Lovell FHCC. They do a fantastic job, I think the Military oversight and availability of resources has provided a great resource.
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The VA has to be fixed because it's broken. It's not working because of poor management. The VA should not be shut down, it should be revamped! When something that is good is broken you don't just throw it away, you fix it any way you can!
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SGT (Join to see)
Well there are structural limitations in the VA's management system. An example is to fire someone it takes 3 of the 4 votes that are cast. While each main VA not CBOC's or clinic's has a Director they are not fully in charge. There are 4 folks in charge including the Director. That does not work
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