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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 10 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 51
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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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COL Mikel J. Burroughs I don't think so, inspite of Obama care. My view of the VA health care is the motto:
"To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan" (Abraham Lincoln-the 16th President of the United States)
"To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan" (Abraham Lincoln-the 16th President of the United States)
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Only a fool would think of shutting down the VA! I don't know where anyone else goes to get their VA care, but mine is Excellent! I have been going there for almost 10 years, no real problems. Of course I might have to wait a little bit longer to see the Dr. or wait a few extra minutes for my prescriptions but BIG DEAL. These people are human, the system isn't perfect and things don't run at the speed of snapping your fingers. What would the alternative be????? Exactly.....Nothing. So I am very thankful for any care that The VA provides!
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Sgt Ronald Petroski
i sat in the er in Phx for 5 hrs and the guys before me were there at 8 am. so i have discourse for phx. Prescott Az VA is much better by far
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Shutting the VA down would be extreme,some real changes need to be made instead of talking about how bad it is.
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SSgt Terry P.
CPO Andy Carrillo, MS - All i could do is add to the complaints,CPO,i do not have the influence to make the changes,if i did they would already be done.My thought was,a complete shutdown would leave a great number of Veterans with no options.
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CPO Andy Carrillo, MS
1) Transfer command and control to the DOD (all military branches contribute personnel to replace the civilian administrative component); 2) PHS assumes command of the medical with military medical contributing personnel; 3) Veterans Choice Card becomes permanent; 4) divert top performing civilians to Benefits and Burials; make Express Pharmacy (mail) mandatory or pick up meds at local military base through their new kiosk pick-up system. But like you, I have no juice to enact these changes so the dead horse will continue to stink.
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It will be a very egregious decision to close the VA since most private healthcare sectors find it difficult understanding the needs of the Veterans and how to meet these needs. There is obviously no doubt that re-engineering will bring significant pragmatic changes that will benefit our well-deserved heroes and heroines.
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs - Mikel; The VA does MUCH more than "health care" so it can't be scrapped.
HOWEVER, where there has been fraud and/or active concealing of mismanagement the people involved should be facing the judge (and pretty stiff sentences on top of that). Letting them bail out with a "golden parachute" is NOT the way to go.
HOWEVER, where there has been fraud and/or active concealing of mismanagement the people involved should be facing the judge (and pretty stiff sentences on top of that). Letting them bail out with a "golden parachute" is NOT the way to go.
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There are certain diseases and injuries only VA knows how to treat. Shutdown would kill veterans literally.
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I've looked at this issue from a variety of angles.
First and foremost is the obligation which the government has for our service-members. As such, there must be a Dept of Veterans affairs in some form. That does not mean that the current form is correct, but that does not reduce the obligation.
Second is whether we have the capability. Since this is America, I have no doubt we do. It's just a case of whether we have developed the correct structure.
Since the VA is a Social Program, this is something we will struggle with. Our government, as a machine, is ill suited for Social Programs. It's a conceptual issue we just aren't good at. But that doesn't mean we can't evolve, and get better at it, and eventually get good at it.
First and foremost is the obligation which the government has for our service-members. As such, there must be a Dept of Veterans affairs in some form. That does not mean that the current form is correct, but that does not reduce the obligation.
Second is whether we have the capability. Since this is America, I have no doubt we do. It's just a case of whether we have developed the correct structure.
Since the VA is a Social Program, this is something we will struggle with. Our government, as a machine, is ill suited for Social Programs. It's a conceptual issue we just aren't good at. But that doesn't mean we can't evolve, and get better at it, and eventually get good at it.
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PO1 John Miller
Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
I want to up vote you and read your opinion further, but your post cuts off for me and doesn't give me a "Read more..." option. Argh!!!
As soon as I saw this thread I thought to myself "What is Aaron's opinion?"
I want to up vote you and read your opinion further, but your post cuts off for me and doesn't give me a "Read more..." option. Argh!!!
As soon as I saw this thread I thought to myself "What is Aaron's opinion?"
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