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Mission inaction is the True Cost of War. GREAT ARTICLE!
By Kim Bolen RN CCM ACM
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/ [login to see] 3 [login to see] 97-mission-in-action-is-the-true-cost-of-war?trk=pulse-det-nav_art
McDonald, appointed by President Barack Obama was unanimously confirmed by a 97-0 vote in the Senate on July 29, 2014 to become the Secretary of the Department of Veteran Affairs.
The tasks before him are breathless and pandemic in scope.
While I listened last week to the hearings by the House and Senate Conference Committee and testimony of Robert McDonald to become the Secretary of the Department of Veteran Affairs, it appeared that He Might just have what it takes.
He wishes to transform the System. That is just what is required, a Re-invention if you will.
Congress, must provide this 1% who gave more than they ever had to give a Clean Bill.
Congress must keep its promise to the Warriors.
By Kim Bolen RN CCM ACM
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/ [login to see] 3 [login to see] 97-mission-in-action-is-the-true-cost-of-war?trk=pulse-det-nav_art
McDonald, appointed by President Barack Obama was unanimously confirmed by a 97-0 vote in the Senate on July 29, 2014 to become the Secretary of the Department of Veteran Affairs.
The tasks before him are breathless and pandemic in scope.
While I listened last week to the hearings by the House and Senate Conference Committee and testimony of Robert McDonald to become the Secretary of the Department of Veteran Affairs, it appeared that He Might just have what it takes.
He wishes to transform the System. That is just what is required, a Re-invention if you will.
Congress, must provide this 1% who gave more than they ever had to give a Clean Bill.
Congress must keep its promise to the Warriors.
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
DAV
Disabled Veterans
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 7
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs They know what the issues are, "According to ABC News, the Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders of Vermont stated in an interview just prior to the confirmation hearing.
"Planes and tanks and guns are a cost of war. So is taking care of the men and women who fight our battles." "He went on to say, “How do we continue lowering the claims backlog?
How do we make sure that the numbers that are coming out are accurate? How do we develop accountability at the VA? How does the VA—among other things—provide timely, quality health care? These are very difficult issues”. Will they give the new Secretary of the Department of Veteran Affairs the support he needs? Will he issue directives to fix the problems within the V.A. or will they all continue to pass the buck?
"Planes and tanks and guns are a cost of war. So is taking care of the men and women who fight our battles." "He went on to say, “How do we continue lowering the claims backlog?
How do we make sure that the numbers that are coming out are accurate? How do we develop accountability at the VA? How does the VA—among other things—provide timely, quality health care? These are very difficult issues”. Will they give the new Secretary of the Department of Veteran Affairs the support he needs? Will he issue directives to fix the problems within the V.A. or will they all continue to pass the buck?
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
COL Mikel J. Burroughs CPT (Join to see) LTC John Shaw
Sir(s), Ma'am,
Speaking as someone familiar with the Bureaucratic process, this question is really about how to route information effectively for maximum effect (Information Management, and Intelligence Principles). I am actually fairly well versed on this concept.
My suggestion would be as follows:
1) Figure out who has to "Buy in" on the Concept/Philosophy based on the completed Draft. This will include but not be limited to the Committees for Veterans Affairs, Armed Services, & Judiciary (both House & Senate). The Secretary of USHHS (Surgeon Generals Boss). The Secretary of Dept of Vet Affairs. As many Service Secretaries as possible.
- I don't know what the overlap is for that, but assume there is 10 members per Senate committee and 20 per House Committee.
2) Pick 2 members (one from each party) from each committee with a solid Pro-Vet track record, who publicly appears inline with the philosophy, and present idea. Hopefully, using the "overlap" of committees, we can end up having "friendly faces" when we go from Senate Vet Affairs to Senate Vet Services, which means there are 2 + votes already there.
3) Using 2) ask for introductions to other members to present the concept. The idea is to get it past the "key committees" first and foremost.
Sir(s), Ma'am,
Speaking as someone familiar with the Bureaucratic process, this question is really about how to route information effectively for maximum effect (Information Management, and Intelligence Principles). I am actually fairly well versed on this concept.
My suggestion would be as follows:
1) Figure out who has to "Buy in" on the Concept/Philosophy based on the completed Draft. This will include but not be limited to the Committees for Veterans Affairs, Armed Services, & Judiciary (both House & Senate). The Secretary of USHHS (Surgeon Generals Boss). The Secretary of Dept of Vet Affairs. As many Service Secretaries as possible.
- I don't know what the overlap is for that, but assume there is 10 members per Senate committee and 20 per House Committee.
2) Pick 2 members (one from each party) from each committee with a solid Pro-Vet track record, who publicly appears inline with the philosophy, and present idea. Hopefully, using the "overlap" of committees, we can end up having "friendly faces" when we go from Senate Vet Affairs to Senate Vet Services, which means there are 2 + votes already there.
3) Using 2) ask for introductions to other members to present the concept. The idea is to get it past the "key committees" first and foremost.
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS CPT (Join to see) LTC John Shaw I believe that I have a RP Member that can help us get that key information and provide the roadmap to get it through the process you described above.
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LTC John Shaw
CPT (Join to see) Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS COL Mikel J. Burroughs Happy to look at any documentation and approach either of the Ohio Senators or the Speaker of the House, it will be the first time I have spoken with any of them.
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
LTC John Shaw Sorry for the long time to respond. I'm just now getting caught up on the discussions. I'm always about two days behind! LOL!
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The Department of Veterans Affairs is the one subject that I truly allow myself to Rant on. It's a relief valve of sorts. It's a subject I truly get angry about. Because we are truly the greatest nation in the world, and we should be able to do better than this.
I track this subject closely and those I blow off steam ranting about the organization, I do try to be fair. I have come to their defense when it is not their fault. I do point out systemic issues as compared to political realities. I highlight what they are doing right, as well as what they are just not capable of doing.
Sec McDonald is a Good Man. I cannot give him higher praise than that. I saw him give his personal cell phone number on a live teleconference, because he does want to fix this system. He didn't hem, he didn't haw. He just gave it when some reporter jokingly asked. And I've heard of folks using it.
He's not a "politician" in the way we use the word. He's an "expediter" in that he is rooting out the underlying cause of the problem, and trying to cure the cancer, not treat the symptoms. The problem is that the VA has had cancer for a long time, but it's been living on a steady stream of Motrin, water, and fresh socks. Doc McDonald isn't going to fix that in one or two years.
The article highlights that he needs Congress. Hell, he needs a blank check, and A LOT of authority to "chemo" this cancer out.
I've said before that I don't think the VA is actually capable of doing what we're asking. But I'm rooting for Sec McDonald, because I believe he really is trying. When we get folks like Sen. Sanders talking about the true cost of war, I scream a little "hell yes" even though I disagree with him on nearly everything else.
I don't know how long this is going to take... but we have to dismantle the currently non-functional system, and rebuild it into something sustainable.
I track this subject closely and those I blow off steam ranting about the organization, I do try to be fair. I have come to their defense when it is not their fault. I do point out systemic issues as compared to political realities. I highlight what they are doing right, as well as what they are just not capable of doing.
Sec McDonald is a Good Man. I cannot give him higher praise than that. I saw him give his personal cell phone number on a live teleconference, because he does want to fix this system. He didn't hem, he didn't haw. He just gave it when some reporter jokingly asked. And I've heard of folks using it.
He's not a "politician" in the way we use the word. He's an "expediter" in that he is rooting out the underlying cause of the problem, and trying to cure the cancer, not treat the symptoms. The problem is that the VA has had cancer for a long time, but it's been living on a steady stream of Motrin, water, and fresh socks. Doc McDonald isn't going to fix that in one or two years.
The article highlights that he needs Congress. Hell, he needs a blank check, and A LOT of authority to "chemo" this cancer out.
I've said before that I don't think the VA is actually capable of doing what we're asking. But I'm rooting for Sec McDonald, because I believe he really is trying. When we get folks like Sen. Sanders talking about the true cost of war, I scream a little "hell yes" even though I disagree with him on nearly everything else.
I don't know how long this is going to take... but we have to dismantle the currently non-functional system, and rebuild it into something sustainable.
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS Great Response! We need to support his efforts as veterans! Now let's see if Congress supports his efforts over the next several years. Like yuosaid it will take time to dismantle and reshape this organization. We need some highly qualified veterans that have been on the outside looking in to take over some key leadership positions in the next two years as well. Just my opinion!
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The VAs problem is it has a forest that have many clumps of cancerous trees. They have killed veterans with long and fake appointment lists, and refuse to admit to the true number of suicides. Here is the VA's Vision:
Vision
To provide veterans the world-class benefits and services they have earned - and to do so by adhering to the highest standards of compassion, commitment, excellence, professionalism, integrity, accountability, and stewardship.
What a joke!
Vision
To provide veterans the world-class benefits and services they have earned - and to do so by adhering to the highest standards of compassion, commitment, excellence, professionalism, integrity, accountability, and stewardship.
What a joke!
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