Shinseki announces fixes for VA system

SGT Ben Keen — Fri, 30 May 2014 09:46:43 -0400

With more and more pressure coming down and the voices calling for Sec. Shinseki to step down as the head of our medical and benefits office, he has now come out ahead of a meeting with the POTUS saying that he'll be removing "key personal" from the staff at the Phoenix VA offices.

Recently, a local radio station reached out to me to speak about this and other issues during which I mentioned the problem is much bigger than the public thinks. Where were the cries for removal when the backlog of claims reached all time record highs? We are a nation recovering from the longest time at war we have ever seen. The number of Veterans returning home with injuries is so high because thankfully we have the equipment we needed but I don't think people looked into what the fallout would be down the road. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that it is bad that more and more of us were able to get through the combat zone and return home but I don't think the nation and the government was or is fully equipped to deal with all of us.

I think the public in general needs to remember that the VA is more than just the hospitals. It's also the office that drives our benefits. The system is broke, there is no denying that.

Here is the next question, if Shinseki does leave who takes his place?

Shinseki resigns, but will that improve things at VA hospitals? - CNNPolitics.com

Eric Shinseki resigned Friday as the head of the Department of Veterans Affairs, leaving behind the daunting task of repairing a broken health care system.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2014 9:50 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 May 2014 09:50:24 -0400

The only question I have is what is the root problem with the VA , will the VA change once he is relieved ?

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made May 30 at 2014 10:27 AM

MSG Wade Huffman — Fri, 30 May 2014 10:27:01 -0400

Time will tell if any changes are substantive or just more lip service. I still believe that consideration should be given to privatizing the VHA.

Response by Sgt S.P. Woodke made May 30 at 2014 1:13 PM

Sgt S.P. Woodke — Fri, 30 May 2014 13:13:39 -0400

the system is what Obama Care is the same sytem that O is striving

Response by Sgt S.P. Woodke made May 30 at 2014 1:29 PM

Sgt S.P. Woodke — Fri, 30 May 2014 13:29:19 -0400

lol Fixes my ASS...its a Totally Broken system and needs to be reinvented

Response by Sgt Dennis Ford Jr. made May 30 at 2014 2:47 PM

Sgt Dennis Ford Jr. — Fri, 30 May 2014 14:47:05 -0400

Here is my feedback on this issue.

The system is broke because of the lack of professional people who are running the system at the TOP (not ALL) of these VA locations. Most of them are NON-Veterans, then the hiring of Veterans are being blocked to a large degree, for follow veterans to help their own.

Going private is not the way to FIX it as well. Training by the private sector can HELP to a large degree, including Hiring follow Veterans who can understand each other as well.

Also the Bigger picture is a system that wants to control Major things at many many levels. (Not to name on this website)

Plus improve on programs that are tailored to fix the ROOT problems Veterans face on a day 2 day basis.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 11 at 2014 2:49 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 02:49:14 -0400

I miss General Eric!