Update: On Wednesday, July 22, VA Secretary Bob McDonald appears before the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee on VA’s request to transfer funds for Veterans’ care. The hearing will air live at 10 a.m. EDT on C-SPAN3 or can be watched online via the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee website.

Today, VA urged Congress to act expeditiously and approve its pending request for fiscal year 2015 budget flexibility. The request, formally transmitted on June 23, seeks the transfer of funds from the Choice Program to continue VA’s efforts to increase Veterans’ access to care and life-saving pharmaceuticals.

“It is essential that Congress pass legislation to provide the requested budget flexibility by the end of July 2015,” Deputy Secretary Sloan Gibson wrote. “This is necessary to replenish critical operations funding that VA had to reallocate from other medical services programs to sustain Care in the Community, after those funds were depleted … if these program funds are not restored, VA will face shutting down hospital operations during August 2015.

The letter and full text of the documents submitted to Congress today are available for download here:

Nationally, VA completed more than 56.2 million appointments between June 1, 2014, and May 31, 2015 — 2.6 million more appointments than were completed during the same time period in 2013-2014. VA also made more than 3 million authorizations for outside care.

 

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9 Comments

  1. jaz August 2, 2015 at 19:54

    As a Veteran, I hope to see a more efficient system; however, to forget the past and blame the current administration demonstrates a lack of understanding by those who finger point. SECVA McDonald presented a valid argument, he has the funds, but can’t access it because it’s in a different pocket. If the government operated like a private sector business and didn’t practice in earmarks, pork barrel spending or any other practice where the goal is to address the issue directly, perhaps we would see a different VA, no matter who was in charge. But, to blast SECVA and the current administration, because things haven’t changed shows people just want to engage in a political battle rather than work towards fixing the problem. VA has been like this for many, many years. When did it last work, where everyone was happy? What was the demand like then? How much was the House and Senate vested when it did work? Or, did it ever work? Not long ago, the burden of responsibility for Veterans to apply for benefits fell on the Veteran, now, it’s automatic through an exit exam. If you have medical proof you broke your arm in a bar fight that you started, off duty, but while in service, you’re covered for benefits. If a Veteran suffers a TBI for operating a motorcycle off duty, but while in service, he/she is treated just like a Veteran that suffered a TBI during combat. That’s the law most of you supported because your representatives made it law and representatives are elected by you the people. Where’s that discussion?

  2. Ruel A. Quina July 31, 2015 at 02:24

    I would like to ask the us veterans sffairs about the requirements to avail benefit for filipino us veterans family in coming to the united states of america.I reaf the ad in facrbook.thank you and more power…

  3. preston July 27, 2015 at 01:52

    Glen are you for real? How can you trust the lawyers that get involved with this type of law suits. As soon as they see dollars signs to settle the case they will sale us down the river. Can you protected us during the fight from both the lawyers and the government? If we go along with the class action, how will this suit affect the claims that we are waiting for? what will the blow back be. How bad do vets want change knowing there is a good chance we may lose more than we will gain? would we be doing this for us or for our brothers down the road? I for one would like to stand and fight, but this kind of fight only works with vets from all over the country that are willing to jeopardize their claim just to stand. How many out there are willing to join this fight base on this information? Please make sure you put real deep thought into your decision. Than write to Glen before or by 14 AUG 2015 because he plans to submit it case on 17 AUG 2015 IN FEDERAL COURT.

  4. Greg July 23, 2015 at 12:17

    The V A CONTINUES TO NEGLECT VETERANS AND KNOW ONE SEEMS TO CARE EXCEPT FOR THE VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES. DELAY, DENY, AND HOPE THE VETERAN DIE SO NO COMPENSATION PAID TO THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES GO BROKE AFTER THEIR DEATH BECAUSE BENFITS AREN’T TRANSFERRED. THINGS NEED TO CHANGE AND IF VETRANS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES ORGANIZE CHANGE WILL HAPPEND, LOOK AT THR TEA PARTY, HATE GROUPS, ETC,.

  5. Glen July 23, 2015 at 11:21

    Good morning to all, I must say everyday I talk with veterans and their dependents and they all have the exact same story about their experiences with the V A. I agree with Danny and Dave, we should organize and file a class action lawsuit against the V A. The V A demands that veterans who file a compensation or pension claim must adhere to all C&P appointments, file NOD within a 1 year time frame, and file the necessary forms in a timely matter but their not held to the same standards even though according to 38 CFR requires them to do. I truly believe their practices and handling of claims, DRO reviews, and appeals are criminal. The phrase Delay, Deny, and hope they Die is very true. I am and willing to file a lawsuit with the federal government and if any veteran would like to join me please contact me at glenmiller_798@ hotmail.com. I have evidence of my own experiences and that of 20 more veterans that I believe will get any federal judge to grant us the motion to file a class action lawsuit. Please only serious replies only, we are not asking for any of your private information nor money we are just giving other veterans the opportunity to join with us if they choose. Veterans interested in joining please contact me by 14 AUG 2015 because we plan to submit it case on 17 AUG 2015 IN FEDERAL COURT.

  6. Dave July 23, 2015 at 01:39

    Wow, I find it absolutely ludicrous that Bob McDonald fully expects quick action from congress, due to the exceptional need of the VA. All the while, hundreds of thousands of vets, who are in dire financial need are waiting years to have their claims, appeals, re-considerations and DRO reviews processed so that they can get the compensation that they deserve and in many cases need to survive. The VA regional office in Los Angeles has stopped responding to claimants inquiries altogether. Yet, Bob thinks the congress should jump right to processing his request? Hypocrite!!

    • Ralph Maddox July 26, 2015 at 00:45

      I do agree that the wait time for benefits is REDICULOUS! I FINALLY got my Dad his A&A last year. My issue is getting reimbursed for his out of pocket medical expenses. Never have understood why, when we turn in his medical exp. report each year, they mark it as a NEW CLAIM. Like we are applying for new benefits. And we go behind people waiting for complicated claims that they take FOREVER to decide. Seems to me that medical reimbursement should be a totally separate dept.. He pretty much has same stuff every year, Why is should take (according to their timeline) 8 to 11 months min. to approve expenses. As far a blame, I put the majority on NO ACCOUNTABILITY for employees that walk around these hosp. like they are doing us a favor to help a Vet. And Administrators that allow it. The gentleman that brings up the IG prosecuting all the Vets and NO EMPLOYEES doing wrong, THAT IS THE TRUTH. Just read the reports on the IG’s site. They investigate the hospitals and NEVER find evidence of wrongdoing by Facility employees or admin. Rarely the may give “recommendations” to ensure no more complaints happen. Sign up on The IGs website to get reports emailed to you. We get them and no fault of the VA, only the Vets, and their families. Oh well, good luck to all and We Will Never Give Up The Fight!!

  7. Money For Nothing July 22, 2015 at 16:52

    the V.A. gets about 7 million dollars for each veteran every year…….they have done nothing with it except help their friends and those who are politically convenient for their image and budget, i agree with Danny, we veterans need to step up and do something , our fight is not over and we have a common enemy , the enemy is the V.A., my proposal is a bit more forceful , the time for talk is over and long past, we need to organize and physically throw these BUMS out of OUR facilities i for one am tired of being told i should fear and respect VA SERVANTS because they hold my life in their hand, they are there to serve us the veterans but they serve only themselves , 2/3rds of the VA doctors are foreigners (from india) with unverifiable medical degrees explain that??? a large percentage dont even have licenses to practice medicine……explain that? the IG prosecutes veterans but not VA employees…explain that?. i want my 7 million dollars, 250+ thousand of their backlog are deceased, or over 140 years of age go look it up on google the VA has created its own problems to keep it operating……it is definately time to do something , this is OUR country WE own it. YOU SERVE US time to do your duty or face the suffering of a war you dont want. ill be emailing you danny we have to start somehow and this is a good time.

  8. DannyG July 14, 2015 at 09:59

    I have done my best to be supportive of Secretary McDonald in his quest to straighten out the VETERANS Administration, but am almost ready to throw in the towel. How much money has been WASTED paying retired generals, former & current CEOs, & high-priced “experts”, to TALK? How many fancy machines were bought and DON’T WORK! How many many more AMERICAN VETERANS have died while politicians who never served played their games….?.
    I feel this president is not only trying to destroy America, he wants to punish everyone who had ever defended Her, & the politicians are allowing it to happen!
    BROTHERS & SISTERS, WE HAVE TO STAND UP FOR OURSELVES! Ferguson & Baltimore had the right idea, they just went about it wrong! IF WE DON’T ORGANIZE & PROTEST, WE DESERVE TO BE CRAPPED ON. STAND UP WITH ME!!

    dannyg55@centurylink.net

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