Today, President Donald J. Trump visited VA to thank Veterans for their service, and VA employees for their work helping Veterans.
While at VA, the president signed an executive order entitled, “Improving Accountability and Whistleblower Protection at the Department of Veterans Affairs,” and Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Dr. David Shulkin, made three new key announcements at the VA’s Central Office.
The executive order is focused on improving “accountability and whistleblower protection” at VA by creating an office dedicated to that purpose and the position of special assistant to the secretary who will report directly to the secretary and serve as executive director of the office.
The new executive director “will report directly to me as secretary so that we can identify barriers that are preventing us from removing employees and people that we have identified that should no longer be working at VA,” said Shulkin. “We want make sure that we have employees who work hard and are committed to the mission of serving our Veterans.”
The VA will establish the office and appoint the executive director within 45 days of the signing of the executive order.
The executive director will advise and assist the secretary in using all available authorities to discipline or terminate any VA manager or employee who has violated the public’s trust and failed to carry out his or her duties on behalf of Veterans. The executive director will also assist the secretary in recruiting, rewarding, and retaining high-performing employees.
At the signing ceremony for the executive order, Shulkin also announced three new key initiatives at the Department.
VA partnership with the Department of Health and Human Services
Effective today, VA is entering a partnership agreement with the Department of Health and Human Services that will allow the assignment of medical professionals from the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps to provide direct patient care to Veterans in VA hospitals and clinics in underserved communities.
“My priority has been to improve access to care for our nation’s heroes,” said Shulkin. “By partnering with our colleagues at HHS, we will enhance the availability of clinical care in those areas most in need.”
The initial agreement enables up to 20 officers from the Commissioned Corps to treat Veterans in VA facilities that are most in need of staffing support. The agreement also allows up to 10 more officers to help support coordination for veterans receiving non-VA community care.
New fraud, waste and abuse taskforce
The secretary announced a major new initiative to detect and prevent fraud, waste and abuse in the Department of Veterans Affairs. Effective today, this initiative has the potential to save tens of millions of taxpayer dollars currently at risk, for fraud, waste and abuse that can be redirected to better serve Veterans.
The initiative will include bringing in the leading thinkers from the private sector and other government organizations in an advisory committee to identify and leverage cutting-edge fraud detection tools and; and coordinate all fraud, waste and abuse detection and reporting activities across the department through a single office.
The department has identified potential savings in the area of improper payments to health care providers, major contracts, contracts for pharmaceuticals, and the delivery of benefits to Veterans.
“Restoring the trust of Veterans and improving system-wide accountability are among my top priorities. It’s essential to ensure that all our employees and the companies that we do business with are being good stewards of the resources available to care for our Veterans,” said Shulkin.
Removing red tape at state-owned Veteran nursing homes
Effective today, VA is amending guidelines to allow state-owned Veteran nursing homes to follow state guidelines in the construction design of their facilities – removing red tape, while increasing access to services for Veterans.
Up to now, to qualify for federal grant funding for Veteran nursing homes in their state, Governors and state officials have had to follow federal construction design guidelines. With today’s announcement by the secretary, that is no longer the case and governors are freed up to follow their own state guidelines in the construction design of these facilities while still qualifying for the same level of federal grant funding as before.
In announcing the move, Shulkin noted that state design guidelines already are sufficient to the task of providing safe conditions for our Veterans and the department recognizes the need to move quickly to reduce unnecessary barriers to providing much needed services to our Veterans.
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The current issue with the VA. Is that the civilian workers are not updated and trained on new documents and changes. I also have been waiting for many years.
well, where to begin? June 2 2016 my claim was remanded from the VA Board back to St. Petersburg to rework it. They said it would be 228 days. So in Dec I finally forced the IRIS management office to send my status request to St. Pete. they sent me a letter telling me there was 299 cases ahead of me so I waited till Jan 20th wrote the white house 12 emails in 3 weeks. No response. So I called the complaint claims office and I got another letter telling me I was 296 in line cause they work on the oldest first now the board is on 2011-2013 now. and all the remand now go after mine. But the news I learned is they worked on 1 claim Dec, 1 claim in jan and 1 claim in feb. leaving me at 296 in line to be reworked. I just had surgery on my foot and they told me there is nothing they can do. As I have a pod sitting outside my home that I am filling up to put my stuff in storage because I will be evicted in June as they take their sweet time on my claim and jerk me around on reworking my claim. So as they play games with bean counters wanting me to die rather then pay me they figure in 24 years I will be dead and they will not have to pay me because they do not care to rework my claim So I am going to let them evict me from my home. Then I will wheel my ass into Fox, Cnn, Abc, Cbs and Nbc with the proof of them working on a remanded claim each month. Just to bust a nut all over there asses cause the VA does not give a (redacted) about us as long as they get a free paycheck???
It would be good for Congress to repeal PL 111-137 that supposedly allowed veterans with Medicare to get emergency care at a non-VA facility, and let the VA pay the 20%. The law title says the law does that, but it does not. It struck subparagraph (f)(2)(E) instead of (b)(3)(B). Subparagraph (b)(3)(B) would allow the VA to pay the 20%. Subparagraph (f)(2)(E) being struck caused the VA not to be able to apply to the Veteran’s auto insurance if the Veteran is in an accident and gets care at the VA. Isn’t that what is called a little stupid? The VA doctors are GREAT””’
Well done, Lets make sure this system works. Thank you President Trump and his team.
Respectfully Johnny Gee
Mr President can I be the first review for accountability.
1800 # reps hang up on me; refer me to outside agency advocates, can’t answer questions, get irritated when challenged on answers, don’t return calls on complaints specifically Ms G(redacted) from Philly office – I just want answers WHY after 20+ yrs am I having my entitlement reduced retroactively? Will this reduction then be returned to dfas so they can reimburse me (military retired pay was reduced by VA entitlement)? Who is going to provide data so that tax returns can be amended (Military pay is taxable VA entitlement is not)? Why if I am to provide updated declaration of status of dependents did it take VA 20 years to advise me? Are VA employees not able to determine a child born on 12 Jun 1981 turns 18 years old on 12 Jun 1999 and therefore should not continue to generate the increased entitlement ? Why can’t those types adjustments be made in a timely manner ? etc etc etc
If you were not in the War, you will be with the VA if you file a claim
I was 50% PTSD for two years now the VA say I’m not. plus they are taking me off all VA compensation.
Thanks president Trump
How about cutting some of the red tape in getting a claim filed and paid I haven’t file my claim for PTSD that I got over in Vietnam back in 1971- 1972 .
You need to be your own best advocate or use one or pay for one….or for a doctor to get documents- the burden is on the patient- always.
The woman texting on a cell phone ran a red light. I hit her in the side. They took me in the ambulance to the hospital and told me to see my doctor ASAP. I did. My doctor, a Pakistani woman, looked me over as I was complaining about severe back pain. She told me it was nothing severe, no need for x-rays. Every time I kept going to see her about the back pain she never looked at me, just kept sitting at her computer typing the entire time. I was out of work for a year and my lawsuit went nowhere. Now I have been diagnosed with severe spinal damage. I can barely walk. Thanks a lot.
yea never said anything about us need health care it always about employs or about some office nevre about us that are sick I have chron and coltis was on meds that help a great great deal but do to poltic they va cut me off but io here washington they are taking real good care of us I wish a bunch of us vets would get together and go see trump and tell face to face see what he said then anyone wont to go let me know we will go
Will National Guard Veterans who were not called up during their agreed upon time of service be able to receive benefits. It seems we sign a check to serve but when it was over the check was not real good for receiving benefits for things that happen during training. Worse yet so many of the units were disbanded over the years and t is hard to prove there were Gun Artillery mishaps etc causing problem in later years of a persons life. Ailments do not always show when young and strong but many of those actions during those time began to tear more in to ones body as they age.
One is treated like a misfit when attempting to get check. One would think those people out there at the VA are on Commission to block help for a Veteran. Should one have a DD214 and Honorable Discharge after serving their agreed time they should receive no less than one who was drafted for 2 yrs or sat behind a desk. Please lets correct a big gap in the system and be fair to all.
It’s a start. We need to be able to address specific issues, like the many that have been posted here, in a timely way. There needs to be tracking and accountability of these issues so that they don’t get buried and forgotten until the vet is dead or beyond help. The president has your back Mr. Secretary of VA. Get to work!
As a Veteran myself can you try to convince Senators and Representatives who is on the Board of Veteran Affairs Committee in Washington D.C passed Disabled Veteran who is collecting 1OO Percent Service Connected get the all Healthcare the Disabled Veteran who is collecting 100 percent service connected even if Medical Center isn’t Contracted with the Veterans Administration
In simple, since October, 1975 I have been victim of VHA Physician, Nurse and other medical support providers; that haven’t been held accountable for what would be considered as medical malpractice or neglect in private practice. I am excited to see any action taken that prompts accountability concerning all medical providers and Nurses’ and other medical health care persons in the VHA. Why has the Government allowed since the creation of the VHA, for medical personal to get away with up to murder of Veterans?
Great job thanks!! At least this president is getting it done!!
Thanks, Mr. Trump !
The V.A. tactic is mandated from Washington, DELAY,DENIE,UNTIL THEY DIE!! God forbid we should help a Veteran in need. That money would better serve paying for a Senator or Congressman’s County Club Fees….it’s important that they stay in touch with their constituents.They fight in Washington like little kids in a play ground….it’s SICKENING!!!
What assistance/interest are given to those former employees that, through corruptive actions that go way above and beyond lying, to rid of federal employees because of speaking out on the wrong doings and unjust accusations like myself. Resulting in removal by the Director of the each VA medical facility and ending the careers and future of these employees involved that have given many years of service to the VA and without any voice??? The I’ve written to Dr. Shulkin on this very issue during the time he was Assistant Secretary and also during the current time after being assigned as Secretary of the VA. Absolutely nothing, no acknowledgement, response what so ever, which in the real sense, doesn’t surprise me. AFGE has done nothing and has no real protections for its members on both the National and local levels. All talk but no real protection. I’m a former VA Federal Employee with approximately 15 of my final years of service (age 63) that this has been allowed to judged by this corrupt nature by the management team of the Dallas Texas VA Medical System and AFGE Local .”2437 including AFGE Regional and National Office. I’ve lost everything resulting through this above well practiced and well documented action.
My husband was injured in 1976 he has been told to go away and shut up ever since. His appeal for increased diabolic has been waiting since 2008. He fell and tore his left knee meniscus and has gone without treatment for we’ll over a year. They are now blaming his diabetes for why they can’t treat him. As a nurse of over 40 yrs, I know this is BS. HE helped develop the Stinger Missile System. The Army got what they wanted from him, he deserves better from them. When that jeep rolled over and pinned him under it, they owned his care for the rest of his life. Instead they threw him away like so many other Vets I have taken care of. This is disgraceful. If I don’t get someone to help him soon he will be another tragic Vet suicide state and it will be the VA’S fault. I don’t know who else to reach out to anymore. The system is broken bad. They have to ask for help but when the caregivers tell the VA how much trouble they are in no one listens. So when he kills himself or me it is on all of you.I have tried my very very best. You have all turned me down
Will veterans be listened too, the VA has employees that are reporting thousands of veterans of being disruptive and the employees are not required to present any written evidence.
The VA regulations require documentation of each incident. VA punished me stating I would come into my local clinic and become disruptive at least twice a month.
Twice a month, how many month’s this was to have happened. When I requested all evidence, I was told they do not have any evidence.
The employee told the VA I wanted to murder staff at my local clinic. Not one written incident was ever recorded.
One would think if someone threatened to murder someone, that they would have been so concerned that they would have notified someone the same day.
This employee only reported her lies as a retaliatory act against a former VA employee, whom she did not like for personal reasons.
The Denver director wrote to senator Bennett’s office and I quote ” due to the reporting of disruptive concerning Mr Gallegos, the VA never coded his official medical record’s for disruptive behavior, nor were his official medical record’s ever Red flagged and there was never any investigation done.
VA regulations require written evidence and placed into the official medical record’s.
How do you like that letting a VA employee use hearsay as evidence. They went so far as to lie and punish me and insult to injury. Placed into my official medical record’s, ” if the VA “ever” hears that you become disruptive again or do not corporate with you treatment team.
You will have federal charges Arrested and banishment from all VA care !
Remember they admitted there was no evidence of me ever being disruptive. Retalation is committed against current and former VA employees.
Veteran’s accused of disruptive behavior are guilty and punished without any due process. Their civil Human And constitutional rights have been taken away.
This sounds like a good political move, adding another administrative position to report on the problems of the VA administration, allowing it to monitor itself and tell people how good it is doing. So, maybe they remove a few people, maybe after a long drawn out process a person is removed that it will take months to replace. Instead of political posturing by a man who called a prisoner of war veteran a loser for being captured; how about he creates a real change. Make the VA meet the standard of care of best practices that any other medical facility is required to meet! How about doing some real hiring to correct serious under staffing at most of the facilities that creates such deadly risks to our veterans. I live in a rural area that has a large veteran population. Travel here to a VA facility is about a half an hour to an hour depending on where you live. There is limited public transport here. There is 1 doctor and 1 PA for a couple of thousand people. 1 mental health counselor for that same population in our clinic. When medicine is needed it can take over a week to receive “over night” ordered medicine. Most of the time it just isn’t sent. The big VA facility is over 3 hours away. Free care means nothing if it does nothing but look good on paper while curable illnesses and conditions are left untreated. People are dying every where in the USA due to VA incompetence. No other facility would remain open if it had the track record of the VA.
Lots of new things – but no where does it tell you how to access the site to lodge a complaint – and who is manning the site? Until the top dogs are gotten rid of – change will be difficult (they are more concerned with their bonus for falsifying data)
Mr Means and others, disrespecting the Commander in Chief also disrespects all who have served America.
Our properly elected President is “green” in his position but is ernest in his efforts to get past the roadblocks
placed before him with the current VA initiative as an example. I implore all to help in improving America and stop being whining pu***** !!!
Respectfully,
Richard Sassaman, Army vet
For my Vietnam brothers that came home without any support and suffered all these years alone I hope that you will find your way to the local VSO (Veteran’s Service Officer) who in my case helped expedite my VA CLAIM for injuries while serving 71-77. I am now receiving my pension and getting medical care, better late than never! I would not be here today if i had not gone to see my VSO in early 2015. FLY NAVY
I am all for making changes in the VA healthcare and service connected benefits.
Would like to know how the VA made the decision to not give Veterans over 65 the larger dose of flu vaccine while the CDC still recommends this practice.
I understand that if the Veteran dies due to this practice the numbers and holding anyone accountable will not happen.
I was told at the VA CBOC that I could try to get the larger dose at Walgreens.
As a retired military Veteran, that is not what I want to hear!!!
I’m So Happy you are in Support of ALL Vetetans..
It appears that I am EXCEPTI0N
Since my 1st phone call 3 years ago until the present…The VA concern and health care..both physically and mentally has been “outstanding” ….I go to the Camden clinic and also the VA in Philadelpia…Ive recieved and continue to recieve INCREDABLE CARE..I have not waited nor been ignored or treated poorly by anyone..and NO I am NOT an Employee writing this !! Thank you VA in Camden and Philadelpia..
(redacted) USN’71’73 @CatVetCommunity @AtheistVet @LarryAccomplish @VFPtampa @VFPNational TrumpOLINI accomplished little with this dog&pony show….what Senior Executive is going to blow the whistle on huge salaries “administrating” that hires zero new doctors or doses a single aspirin tab???? $$$$$. …we need to hire vets like me to make VA programs function better ….VA rules are all about excluding treatments limiting cost$ NOT SERVING VETERANS NEEDS. …VETERANS THEMSELVES MUST HAVE IMMEDIATE RULE MAKING CHALLENGING AUTHORITY instead of “appeals” that take years if not decades DAV and Vets volunteers SHOULD BE DECISION MAKERS not over paid VA bureaucrats (redacted)
The VA Hospice Units need many more CNAs, etc. so that our Vets do not have to wait for assistance for over an hour. In addition, there needs to be more consideration and funding available to help bare the cost of a Caregiver when a Hospice Patient is at home. THe 24/7 burden of taking care of these people is hard enough but then the financial impact can and is breaking people who need this help at home.
I also thank God for all things and for giving other the mind for helping Vets.I return home with trauma and was not aware of the PTSD for more than forty years.To this day I have not been given full cover and total support. yes we need help and we need it now. Need Dental work but can’t get help because as a combat vet I don’t have 100%
I service for 6 years, went to the VA for teeth, back and earing. I was turn down! All these things was done in the army, I told to go back and they will aprove it. Never wentry back!!!
Mr. President and Secretary Shulkin, it would be nice if the VA recognized Bladder Cancer as an illness for exposure to Agent Orange, Vietnam Veterans with boots on the ground are not eligible for Agent Orange exposure for bladder cancer, but Camp lejune vets can claim exposure. The theory is that our government is waiting for us to die off so nothing has to be done.
With a new administration we are hoping that that theory is not true.
I am wife and caretaker of my husband who is a Vietnam Veteran . He is a successful,retired business man who has suffered two strokes, open heart surgery and carotid artery surgery. I could not believe the verbal abuse he received from the Parma, Ohio VA and myself as well. Dr. (redacted), Neurologist, (apparently subcontracted by the VA) was unprofessional , abusive, and indignant towards my husband . I would bet money (redacted) would not treat his IRANIAN patients in the same manner . He has to go and he needs an audit .
President Trump is going to start up his old show and start Firing personal in positions not performing as should be for the Veterans of the United States of America!!!!
Now it’s on to the State, Regional and Local Law Enforcement as well as the Department of Judiciary to continue on with President Trumps “Tested Ability to Leverage Exceptional National Talent Act of 2017” or the “Talent Act of 2017” Chapter 31 of Title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 3171. “SUBCHAPTER V-PRESIDENTIAL INNOVATION FELLOWS PRGRAM” 5 USC
prec. 3171
You think your healthcare is bad now!! When Trump gets finished with it your VA healthcare will truly be a hellhole!! Freud and waste!! How much has HE wasted with his golf weekends in his first 100 days? Some put it at $10 Million, talk about WASTE that does NOT include the $127,000 a DAY for his wife to live in his hotel in New York. $127,000 x 90 = $11,430,000. Blow that whistle and fire that guy for freud!!
Obama ist the golf player. He is the bad one. He stole money from medicare and the VA.
I have been going to the Va for over 10yrs. I’ve never been mistreated or felt like I didn’t matter. I’ve heard some awful things bout the employees, but never experience any of it myself. I’m very proud that there is somewhere where veterans can go for medical care after serving their country. To me it’s how u conduct yourself, that u get treated fairly. If u go there with a attitude, u should expect one back. The employees are people too. Treat them with respect and you sure to get it in return. Thanks to our employees that really cares.
I can’t believe any Veitnam Vet really thinks trump cares about them. Get real!
Sulking last paragraph is absolute (redacted). There are road blocks at every turn by Chief of med.services. in my case it’s obvious (redacted) didn’t have time and take the time to review the 41 years of numerous morbidity diseases that are killing me and VA’s lack of planning to prevent complacations. Total lack of BEST PRACTICES. So when a director is lazy angry, she only has to force an appeal, like she and (redacted) have again. P.S. 10 + months and he still hasn’t sent me the forms ! Lazy. Clean your desk on Friday shred or force an appeal.
It’s $311.00 in unpaid dental not the 228.00 . Got a call again for another x ray in Wyoming Mi. I didn’t refuse I just asked what happened to the previous 41 years of MRIs , x rays around 200 shot by now .Total silence, seems they’re shreaded. Now what is the new radiation going to show that last year’s didn’t show and how is anything going to change. JOHN DINGELL VA Hospital is a nonstarter. A house of death that the Battle Creek Director insists on conferms she is trying to kill vets. I learned that there are extenuating circumstances that should have been taken into account before her refusal to grant me choice system to fix my 4 decades old botched surgery. As usual VA personal only care if they can score a bonus or promotion.I will be hiring my attorney soon ,let’s see how Scuppion can spin my treatment under her care and her forcing another appeal instead of following Doctors order’s for local surgery.
FIRE RATERS
THE CHEMICALS AGENT ORANGE Veteran of this war served 1962 – 1969 TWO TIME VIET NAM VET.
We came home and DEATH came with us!!! Stationed in the gulf do they have any IDEA how much of this
AGENT ORANGE CHEMICALS we DRANK form these waters??? Those on BEACON HILL never saw any of this
So we DIE before getting help for serving our country in a wra no one wanted. MM2 Gibson l. Bryant
Mabie someone is listening?????
As a Vietnam veteran my service connected disability was agent orange. I was diagnosed at the West Haven Ct. VA. I couldn’t ask for better treatment.I never had trouble making an a appointment plus they would call me to remind me of appointments. The staff there are always friendly and caring.I can’t say enough about WHVA. Also remember where Trump was during the Vietnam war while are brothers gave there lives.
I believe….I believe…..I believe….contact me at (redacted)
We need better oversight, audit, review, and follow up for each person who makes any kind of complaint to the OIG by a third party to make sure that the OIG is doing the right thing….!
A mediator should be appointed for anyone to use that feels like the OIG has
overlooked important facts about their complaint..
I.e., what use is it if the OIG ignores a complaint….states that it is too busy to attend to
the complaint…and returns it to the party (in this case a VA Hospital staff and administrative
group)…for follow up. This seems to me to be a case of letting the fox rule the hen house….!
I have residence in the Philippines and the Manila Out Patent Clinic treats only “service connected disabilities”…otherwise we have to use local civilian doctors. The MOPC considers itself as a “partial service center” only. We have to pay cash out of pocket for all “unauthorized” services (hotel/food/car rental, etc.) from September 25 thru December 1st, 2016.
So I was sent to Denver VA Hospital for “certified spine surgery” (Medical Doctor approved) as
I could no longer get more pain medications. Spent 9 (nine) weeks at the hospital and never got the spine surgery….cash and time wasted….and then found out that the hospital administration would not honor the “Philippines doctors certificate of surgery needed/recommended”….l
I returned to Manila….and believe me if anyone at the hospital
had bothered to tell me that surgery was off the table during the first week I would have
been happy to climb back on the first airline back to the islands….but no one took the responsibility….then I found out that my team doctor was on a five week office rotation….!
Made a request to the OIG…they said they were too busy and returned my complaint to the Denver Hospital administrative office….and I have never heard anything since from anyone to date…..(April 30, 2017….!
No one from Manila Out Patient Clinic…no one from the VA Denver Hospital administrative staff. If this is what the OIG does…then it is worthless! We would be better off getting the
Civilian medical community to provide us “the CHOICE”….MEDICAL SERVICES…..!
Great! Another layer to go through. No veteran should feel like the “Lone Ranger,” I have asking and fighting the VA for 17 years since I retired to get my neck service-connected, even though I entered service at 18 yoa and served nearly 24 years, AND the VA’s own MRI’s and x-rays show four cervical bulging disks with at least one impinging on the spinal cord. I am currently rated at 60 percent, out of work and getting a second lumbar surgery in less than a month.
Quick question for someone who may know – – can I have my neck operated on without affecting my ability to get “it” service-connected later?
Thanks
Thanks you guys!. Keep it going, there’s much more to do…
The problems with the VA will never end until the house is cleansed from the vermin that run it.
I live in Houston and between the parking, which is impossible, to the incompetent staff in the ER, it makes going to the VA a burden and I only go when I absolutely have to. Lazy overpaid employees, VA employees ALWAYS make more money than private sector employees with the same JOBS I know, I worked for the VA in Minneapolis. Now you REALLY know where our tax dollars AND Veterans tax dollars go. At least Trump is attempting to do something, what the hell did Obama do? Makes me wish at times I was not a veteran, despite the love for my country.
I’de love to talk to him. Have lots of stories, that would make his hair fly..Wake up America! its right under your nose..Bob, a retired Journalist and worker for the U.S. Navy for 20 years. USNRET
That Idiot Trump is not going to fix the VA or anything else. It’s 100 days and he has accomplished absolutely nothing! If he stayed at the White House along with his wife living there too, instead of golfing in Florida every weekend costing the tax payers several million dollars every weekend, he could solve a lot of the problems at the VA. I work at a VA and we haven’t been able to get 23ga butterfly needles for over a month and a half!! We use these on most of our patients everyday! This is a very simple and common thing I’ve had to borrow these from a local hospital. It’s ridiculous that we can’t get supplies to do our jobs!! Trump needs to stop spending millions and helping his rich friends. He doesn’t care about anyone or anything except himself , his friends and his MONEY. He doesn’t care about the average working man.
I think we are getting ahead of ourselves.
Everyone can take what is being said by President Trump and Shulkin and say we are making headway but that is not the case. We can applaud them for acknowledging the same problems that have been complaints for well over 16+ years. It is time to change the model to privatize healthcare .
The number of times I have heard federal VA employees brag about being federal employees and having jobs they can not be fired from. When they take breaks the last for half hour or more because the must tour the whole facility to talk to their friends during each break. They should spend more time treating the veterans then socializing. Why isn’t there accountability; because accountability runs vertical as well is horizontal in orgainizations that succeed. The VA has no accountability from the top down.
I am a vet who is has been receiving treatment for a number of years at the San Francisco VA Medical Center. My care has been excellent. I am pleased to have the hope that President Trump’s actions will help improve the care for those veterans in badly performing facilities. I have heard very bad things about the Oakland VA, just across the bay from San Francisco. I believe that those who are mistreating and under serving veterans anywhere should not only be fired but spend a few years in Federal Prison, and not some white collar facility but a prison like Leavenworth where they would be incarcerated with hardcore criminals which is what these people deserve.
I served in the army for over 20 years and cant even get travel pay from my house to the VA in Dallas and it is over 100 miles can you help me I am also a vietnam veteran where agent orange was at
PO Kolnmeier, E.
Very glad the new Pres. Trump will fit all the disfuntions @the VA… Vets dessert better…!
I disagree about removing choice. Although it took me over a yr of having to constantly call them to finally get an appointment, it was worth it to be able to go to a civilian hospital close enough to my home that my family could visit. Heck it was worth it just to be able to go to a decent civilian hospital with a surgeon who cared for me all the way through rather than always seeing a different dr all the time as it is with va. The only dr a dr/patient relationship can be had is with the pc provider. If you have to see specialists or surgeons it’s a different one every time!!! Tell me, how stupid is THAT!?!?
The Veterans Choice needs to be investigated! They are terrible. It is almost impossible to get an appointment thru them, even weeks, if not months later. They don’t return calls, don’t enter anything in their system from phone calls between us. They need to be defunded and get some company that will do the job for vets!
Very good . Mr.president, l hope all veteran get what they want . Mr.president . Thank.
I have read about VA healthcare problems in AZ, CA, and DC. I was in MI VA care and now I am in the IN VA care, and both have been GREAT. I hope the new mandates will give all vets the same great treatments I receive. Glad I voted for Mr. Trump !!!!!
Dear President Trump, whom I voted for and respect for your honesty in finally stepping in and seeing for yourself the way veterans are being ignored, treated and misdiagnosed for years and years. My husband served 2 tours in Vietnam…..one of the ships he was on (USS Ogden) was recommissioned and my husband at age 18 was one of the young men responsible for carrying asbestos filled pipe wrap off of the ship….. no mask, no body cover-up. If that was not enough, he was on a ship (USS St. Francis River 525) that has been recognized by the VA to be exposed to AGENT ORANGE. His ship was in the brown waters carrying Marines who were landing on the shores of Viet Nam, the AGENT ORANGE was sprayed above to kill the foliage so the Marines were not sabotaged. In 1991 he was diagnosed with Colo-rectal cancer and have since been diagnosed with “END STAGE COPD”. Both have been denied by the the VA as Service Related, because I had a history of smoking of which I have quit several years ago. My claim began in 2008 and is currently on REMAND because so many errors in my case were made and identified by a VFW Attorney. The judge responsible for the REMAND of my last appeal directed the VA to re-evaluate by claim for 100% disability EXPEDIENTLY…..that was 3 months ago and the VA has only ordered 1 test and has not ordered anything further. PLEASE HELP ME RECEIVE WHAT I DESERVE BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE, I will be entering hospice in the very near future. My claim was started in 2008. Please contact me for a copy of my file which has been transferred to a disc. Thank you in advance for taking the time to help me and God Bless.
Thank you for sticking by our side, Mr. President,
Today most wheelchair Vets have no idea that they may quality for a wheelchair that would allow them to stand-up throughout the day.
There are Vet owned manufacturers who make standing chairs “on contract”.
Hopefully the rehab people at the VA will allow wheelchair Vets the choice/ the option to stand-up!
because standing throughout the day would benefit their health, independence and make it easier to gain employment.
Give our Vets a choice. Kudos to President Trump.
Here’s a thought. Hire veterans to work for the VA. I don’t know how many envelopes I’ve received from the VA with the words “Hire a vet”, not many vets work at the VA. I am in my tenth year and on my last appeal. If you don’t know look up how a claim is decided. It’s a joke. Oh well, good luck to you all.
Roughly 33 percent of VA employees are Veterans.
Where was the help when I needed to help I’m still suffering from the VH mistakes they have made with due to my health where is the help
After 50 years of retoric,I still don’t believe single word
After 50 years of the same old promises,I don’t believe a single word
Well this all sounds very nice. I finally got my VA heath care benefits when I got a year end tax statement from the VA. The VA rep I was working with for my benefits obviously didn’t know what he was doing since I found out I had them all along. Now I’m two years into trying to get my disability for a service related injury which I don’t even know if it’s worth the effort. It took a year to get a necessary appointment that the VA could provide and had to work with then”Federal” Healthnet program. Words are just that. Let’s see some action
It’s about time someone stepped up and did something!!! Senator McCain may have been a POW but he is a disgrace in doing anything to help our veterans and I have sent many emails to him about this. He passed the “VA Accountability Act” in 2015, for what??? Nothing has been done and it may look and sound good but he doesn’t follow through with anything. He’s a poor example of a veteran and Senator for this State. I have been doctoring at the VA for 4 yrs now and at first it was almost impossible to get an appointment, attitudes there were so poor and the way they talked to and treated veterans was a disgrace. The past year I have been there for serious issues, even surgery, and was so impressed with the employees in the GI Surgery Department and the hospital Radiology Dept. I give them an A+ for their care and concern for me and the others I saw in the recovery room. These people truly love their jobs and show it!! As far as government waste, I am a volunteer at clinic in AZ and I cannot believe the amount of meds that are trashed in our receptacle. We are being over medicated by the looks of it. BIG WASTE HERE ON MEDS!!!!!
Will they get the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans with breathing conditions covered or just kick us to the curb until a bunch die off? The government loves to use the young men and woman of this great nation and then forget about you when it comes to your health. The Vietnam Veterans had to fight for years to even get the VA to admit to Agent Orange Exposer now there following suite with Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans with exposer to hazards that they faced. They Should just step up and say yes you were forced to spend 8 to 10 hours a day searching vehicles and suck in the exhaust fumes and that is bad for you so let us take care of you. instead these young men and woman get told that it would not cause a problem and your breathing issue is because you smoke. The problem with that is not all of them were smokers so how can they lump everyone together and then tell you on your claim that each claim is unique. Something doesn’t add up.
If you haven’t served in the military, you have no business running a VA hospital.
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Really and what had Obozo done beside belittling our military , and cutting Cola and looking the other way yes it can be too late but at least the president is showing he is willing to do something
First off, it’s about time!!!.
Second, how can I get o e of this new jobs?
I’m a ret. Disable vet.
They show hire us like the laws as so. Then hiring civil and there friends, and holding out on and job opening. Saying we could not fine a person to fill the job. Then give it to one of the co worker. Or a military person retiring and the nxt day they are civil and the have the job.
At least he (President Trump) is doing something for us! Come on people. The guy hasn’t been in office for 4 months and it’s already “About Time”? What did the last guy do for us in 8 years? Nadda!
wHY DON’T VA ISSUE CARD TO PAY LIKE MEDICARE FOR ALL VETERANS PRIVATE OR VA?
What about the whistle blowers that are not veterans?
I wrote for 20 minutes only to have my comment not show up on the board. I guess my comment wasn’t important enough to matter.
5 yrs waiting for the board to hear my case………who are they kidding.71 judges who just sit and get a pay check
THANK YOU !!! I actually had an “employee” threaten me because I complained about incompetence – said my file was going to the behavior board and they would make me go to another VA 100 miles away Of course I didn’t listen now I get the pleasure of having a “doctor” that rudely interrupts me, can’t answer my questions and huffs and puffs because I do have questions. YOU GO TRUMP.
A little follow-up on my follow-up care for my broken arm today. I was told that the healing time for my break would have been shorter with surgery. It was decided that no surgery was to be done because of the label “history of drug and alcohol abuse”. Instead I will have to stay immobilized for an additional 6weeks. There was also “concerns” that I was not healing as well as expected, the break has slipped out of alignment. If they think that I will let them do surgery after 12 weeks I want some of what they are smoking.
I am very pleased to see all that President Trump is doing or attempting to do. I pray God’s protection on him. I am tired of the loud mouths who are stealing or trying to steal from all of us.
God bless you, Mr. President. I pray God’s will can be put into action. I no longer feel America is doomed. We need to pray diligently since we are in such a position that only God can deliver us! Thank you, Jesus.
What happened to the VA dental health insurance program?
It has been three years since I appealed a disability denial. My two compensation and pension examinations on that appeal were conducted 5 – 6 months ago, but there is still no response from the reviewing office in Reno, Nevada. They must have a big backlog and/or not be able to get help.
WHY WHY WHY DOES THE VA KEEP GETTING REPORTS FROM THE SAME PEOPLE THAT ARE INCOMPATENT AND THEN REPORTING TO THEIR SAME INCOMPATANT BOSSES THAT DO NOTHING. IF THE PRESIDENT WANTS TO FIX THE SYSTEM HE NEEDS TO TALK TO THE VETS THAT ARE ON THE BOTTOM OF THE VA SYSTEM. THE ONES GETTING DUMPED ON NOT THE ONS THAT TELL HIM WHAT HE WANTS TO HERE.
Someone should do the new clinic in Lansing Michigan because the one we have does absolutely nothing has no Pharmacy no care for female veterans the veterans and living over top of the shelter they want to send you to a local hospital and run up a hospital bill something definitely should be done about this also I think the VA cover everybody for dental care and stop giving that excuse about wartime I have two broken teeth I’m on Social Security I want to get $866 a month I can’t even go to the dentist but yet they’ve got females and male sitting on welfare with a Medicaid card getting all kind of dental treatment this needs to change Lansing is the capital of Michigan it needs a better place for veterans to live especially female veterans I stayed at I had to stay at the Volunteers of America in 2007 in the female shelter part with the other females I had a lot of problems there was a lot of jealousy and nitpicking to its me
It is going to take more then Trump just signing things to get things going in the VA. My husband was a Vietnam Vet with having all the chemicals they sprayed over there he had them all. The sad thing is I lost him almost four years ago. Due to all his war time he spent there. Our Veterans should be first and he was never first he had to fight for all he got just like others. I see where there is one lady who says what about the widow’s of these men. You should look up on line and see what you have coming to you. Thank you all the men and women who served…..God Bless you all.
I have received excellent care from the medical providers. The issue at hand is of several circumstances. For one, you can look at the last 15 years and see how the administrative services have changed very politically and shifted frequently due to policy changes. Second, the influx of military engagements have reach all time highs. (More patients, less providers). The attempts to management this intake with less providers was never adequate. That is a management problem and the medical staff are overly criticized. In addition, more and more health providers leave for more income and independence.
Like any smart business, the operational aspects of VA services (SOP) should be set up.like a franchise, so the breakdown leaves less finger pointing !!!.Benefit level are too inflexible and insufficient God bless the VA medical staff services for their
caring.. It means so much to us vets..
It is obvious that this is a first move to destroy the VA and farm out the Vets to the mainstream Medical establishment. This is all about big Biz and shoveling money into for profit Health Centers. Tweet really doesn’t care for Vets, or anyone else except for those who can enrich him, his family, and friends.
Spent 2 in valley forge army in Pa. Received treatment for TB of the lung because of a tour in
Morocco. . I was only 19 yrs old and knowing no one would hire me for a job because of the
TB that I had been through over 1 1/2 yrs of treatment I re-enlisted for another tour of military
Because of having a family and a child. I got out afterward and was told that I could not now get a disability when I applied at a VA. Some 2nd Lt was sent to tell me that it was caused
By my smoking which I had done none. Not a Dr, but an enlisted 2nd Lt. So here I stand
After all these years. Never heard of TB being anything. Other than causing Lung Cancer…..
Never TB. Va just tries to get rid of you when you try.
Too bad all Vets aren’t as lucky as those of us here in Fort Bragg, California. Ulysses, our VA representative, is an amazing guy, kind-hearted and helpful as can be. I wish all of you someone equally concerned.
I stand with you about Choice worst thing the VA has gotten involved with in years if ever. They jerk you around blame ever thing on the VA.
The best thing in the 50 years in the VA system was what was called the “WHITE CARD” late 70’s early 80’s. You could use the Doctor of your choice, pharmacy,and hospitals. Then someone had the brain storm to stop it, tipacal government when it’s not broke BREAK it.
Believe me when I tell you the hospitals have gotten much better and cleaner. You should have had to go to NEWARK VA. In NewJERSEY I say no more
Not as incompetent as you.
My husband died Feb. 8, 2016 because of negligence at the Dallas VA Hospital. An appointment for a new primary care physician was rescheduled three times (the last appt was rescheduled for the date of his death). For over a year, he was losing weight at a rapid rate, couldn’t eat, if he did eat, he got sick or his abdomen hurt with excruciating pain. His spinal cord doctor knew he was losing weight but did nothing. A new spinal cord doctor stepped in but he and the cardiologist were more concerned about his heart. On Jan. 15, 2016, I took him to a gastroenterologist in our hometown, who we knew personally. He was seen the day I called (1/15/16), and immediately sent to the hospital for admittance. Within 12 hours of being admitted, doctors were able to find the problem. My husband had a foot of dead lower intestines, which according to the gastroenterologist said he was sure had been there for at least a year. He had surgery to remove and the surgeon confirmed what the gastro dr told me. Had they waiting one more day to operate, his intestines would have erupted and death would have imminent. My husband lived over a week after having the operation; however, it was too late, because his bowels never functioned again. He already had congestive heart failure and the weakening condition of the intestines made heart problems become more severe. But, and I stress, either way – with or without the surgery, the dead intestines would have caused death. I filed a TORT claim but it was denied and have taken my claim for NEGLIGENCE to the next level. I am currently waiting to hear from them. Everyone wants to blame his death on his heart! I can get a statement from the cardiologist where he was hospitalized in our home town to state otherwise, if necessary. I will also be willing to fly wherever to speak to a judge myself and take my two adult children, who also watched their dad deteriorate at the hands of the North Texas (Dallas) VA Healthcare system.
NEGLIGENCE!!! His death could have been prevented, if the VA spinal cord doctor, the VA cardiologist, and others had listened to me or even to him. No one would, though. Now, he is no longer with us. I will fight till the bitter end. They are obviously incompetent!!! Thank you President Trump. Someone needs to be accountable!!!!!
Now how about the HR922. The blue water sailors who are going through cancers and disabilities?
The VA puts on a public face like Mrs. Clinton. They boast about how wonderful they are at helping the veterans. Some programs are beyond reproach but down in the weeds is worst. I saw a “doctor” and who must feel secure in his government job, whenever I or my wife would talk he would chuckle and say ” I know”. I reported him to the clinic Director but nothing happened. This is the grass weeds VA.
RAISE OUR PAY ACROSS THE BOARD…..THANK YOU
All this drama and theatrics are worthless. Been there, done that. Teare the whole thing down and start over. $200 BILLION a year for surl and incredibly poor treatment. It’s a jobs program not a Veterans benefit. If we could buy back a congress person maybe something would get done.
I HOPE ITS MORE THAN ALOT OF HOT AIR trump,that your so good at..
The VA is stove piped. I had to force the issue in getting comprehensive care. My VA doctors are finally talking to each other. There are rude civil service employees who feel they are entitled to be rude, nothing happens to them, no disciplinary action. NC VA VSN .,i have been waiting 15yrs to get service connected.
I think he is trying. I think choice is aweful also bern trying to get mri for 5 months now. Choice employees are not helpful, they are lazy and simply don’t give a shit. Do away with choice ASAP
I got a approval for out side care for a problem. They said they would set me up with someone withon a 15 mile radius with in 7 working days. It has been over a month and no help. I called them 3 times and they said it woll be done but still no help. They need some one to look into cases like mine.
You can sign a whole bunch of executive orders, but that does not mean it will actually happen. There have been a lot of promises made by a lot of presidents that said they will take care of veterans and I have not seen it yet. I am a veteran and have been fighting for my benefits and my father who is a Vietnam Veteran has been fighting for his benefits since he got out back in the 70’s has not seen a dime. There is a lot of talk but no action. Let’s see what the two of them are going to do. I want to see if my father & myself will get our benefits and support we should get, not all this lip service we have been getting for years.
Thank you Mr Trump,I live in Chicago area and the V.A there needs some improvement too, they kept calling for my sleep abt sd card,I had mailed it the previous month, so I had an appointment at VA,and I went up to that department and spoke the lady who handles the cards,when I went into her office I noticed the floor under her desk was full of those return envelopes at least a few hundred she looked thru the pile and mines was in the bunch,I reported her, to va avacote ,I was so mad ,she argued me down on the phone \hat I hadn’t returned it,so yes thank you again Mr Trump, for looking out for our vets.
Do these count as some of the jobs he promise to create?
Our President has done more in 100 days than any other President before him. He has sacrificed everything to help America and still people are ungrateful . Please pray for Him and his family Tthat God directs his steps and protects him and his family.
We go to the VA in Houston, Texas and it has always been a caring and loving environment. We could not have gone to any local hospital and got better care.
We are proud of the VA Houston and are very thankful to them.
Thank GOD for the swift movement of our New President Donald J. Trump and Vice President Mike Pence and those in Congress supporting this greatly required Executive Order.
Very Respectfully
L.Austin
As a Veteran reading ALL the NEGATIVE comments made / shows me that all These People have is a Mouth and NO BRAIN.. OK Talk is Cheap/NO Worthless without ACTION.
First of all ,thank you Mr President,and Secretary Shulkin.
I can’t comment on other than the Boston VA Healthcare system, which is outstanding,and I’m sure many Veterans like me feel the same. President Trump has been doing an outstanding job taken care of us Veterans,and the Secretary VA . I for one appreciate all that,s being done.
It’s obvious to me this is an all-talk, no real change E.O. This POTUS wants to make a big thing out of saying we should follow the laws on the books. Lending 20 doctors to a system that probably has over 100K doctors is ridiculous. That isn’t even a bandaid. That’s a stitch- one stitch when 2,000 are needed.
The only thing I see which could come out decently is the attitude towards whistleblowing. But this doesn’t go far enough either. It doesn’t change or say what will happen to those that act against it.
Just another useless EO!
MY son in law was just told that his review fo disability could take 10 years. It appears that the VA is waiting for his death. Do you think that 10 years is reasonable. On the mean time they have lost their home,this unconcionable. Floride veterans have no help available to them.
why dont VA have more people handle claim so vet dont have to wait so long.
I lost my Job, profession and my carrier in VA .
It really made me feel good when my psychiatrist at the VA told me “If you don’t like the service that we provide here, then go somewhere else.” I told him to write that down on my record, instead he wrote that I was being difficult. Nevermind the fact that my primary care doctor tried to falsify a blood test. There’s so much worse that these doctors do if you don’t fit the profile that they want. God help us if we ask for a Tylenol for a headache.
love the VA, best health care on the planet. i am not sure about long waits and bad care, but i have not experienced this. sympathy for those that have.
This is BS! The choice program which Trump just signed to extend is going to kill vets in need of care!!!! This govt doesn’t give a **** about us disabled veterans.
Know we have a president. Me. Trump.
I’ve been waiting 22 years, and 6 recurrences of cancer, for the VA to recognized Bladder Cancer as an Agent Orange presumptive disease. The National Academy of Sciences last congressionally mandated biennial reviews of the evidence of health problems that may be linked to exposure to Agent Orange recommended that Bladder Cancer be added to the list from studies made between 2012 and 2014.
When will the VA take ACTION on the recommendation??
I have received good care at the Baton Rouge VA clinic. I just wish they could keep good doctors on the staff – seems like I get a new one every year or two. But that’s probably related to the compensation they receive and/or the bureaucracy they must deal with. I do see a lot of patients in there that are in such poor physical condition that make me wonder how they ever managed to get into the service in the first place and how they qualified for VA medical benefits. It makes me think that VA might be getting scammed, or being a little too generous with their services. Trump is also taking advanatage of the VA and veterans. Just another photo-op for him and a futile attempt to improve his low approval ratings. He’s in way over his head. I can think of a number of commanders that I served under in my 20 years that were smarter, better educated, and better leaders that Trumplestiltskin is.
I have joined the service in 1972, and have served in Vietnam, Grenada, Lebanon, and Persian Gulf war. During those periods, Ok never occurred to me to visit and have a medical record for any illness or minor injury, as long as I can still walk. After 20 years plus in the military, I continue working with the federal government for another 20 years, until I retired in 2012. Nevertheless, in 2013, I filed a claim for disability and has been denied all the time for no medical records except for what I have kept, and still fighting for an appeal. Hopefully I’ll have some result this time.
I would like to add that my brother sought treatment form the VA. He died. It turned out that he was a victim of the water scandal at the training center on the east coast. He complained for years and finally drank himself to death treating the pain. Nice for a Marine Viet Vet.
I have jsut receicved the best care at the Spokane WA VA hospital. Civilian medical was unable to help me with an internal bleeding issue. I got hold of the VA clinic in Wenatchee WA and they went to work. They got me in to see the Doctor and get the lab work and other tests to research the porblem. I received friendly, compassionate care in every department I went. They took and interest in helping me that I have not seen at a medical facility outside the VA. Thank you to all who work in VA facilities, you don’t get the praise you deserve.
I have been treated like a vagrant drug abuser by the VA nurse “doctors” for years. This treatment was bantered around the VA medical community for years. All the while I complained about stomach pain . I had my pain meds cut off as a result. I was called a liar by the emergency room resident. Later it was found by my liver doctor that I had an appendicitis problem. By the time I got sen for this problem after suffering for two years with stomach pain the appendix had already burst. It was as friable as a strawberry that got left on the vine in the rain. It had developed a scar tissue sac around the appendix. The surgeon that did the operation had a great deal of difficulty removing the appendix. She had to remove it a piece at a time scraping it off the scar tissue. This was later played down by primary care. They still denied pain meds even though the scar tissue grafted my intestines to the stomach wall and to each other. I now have the stomach pain and am left on my own to manage the pain. This is only the start. My medical records were bandied around the hospital until the even the nurses aides were making comments about my record in my room when they thought I was sleeping.All this occurred while my primary cause of going to the VA was for a bump on my upper arm. The civil medical community had diagnosed me as being disabled due to severe pain. This pain was due to injuries sustained on the job. Even though I had medical insurance and the injury was on the job the two insurances argued until the coverage of both ran out. This is why I had to go to the VA. They treated me like a dog.
I have nothing but praise for the Cape Coral, Fl & Bay Pines VA at St. Pete, here in So. Florida, and my local PP at Port Charlotte VA Clinic most likely has saved my life when he detected a heart murmur 24 Dec 2016. I’m in the process of having Open Heart Surgery soon.
I hope there is changes and some of that change needs to be in Texas , more specifically Lubbock, Texas where there is major discrimination of women and minorities! Falsification of medical records, misdiagnosis, etc medical negleciance.
For what? What are you referring to? Incompetent for helping clean up the VA? Trying to help the veterans? Guess you want another Obama to cut budget/services for vets. Trump shows respect for military. Compare his attention to return salute . Good bye Lib!
Comgradulation President Trump. Vietnam veteran, travel reimbursement is an issue. A year ago I received reimbursement for round trip travel and now it has been cut in half. I know it’s not much yet we can’t even get a uber ride, and many of the veterans can’t drive. Thanks to my wife and neighbors I make it, yet my brother veterans just linger for rides. Can the VA dispatch pickup and return via Uber. It’s the vets responsibility to get to the VA appointments.
The local veterans hospital has been great yet the Travel is an issue for many of the local vets and this is why we have so many of our Veterans lost in the system. YOU JUST CAN’T GET THERE FROM HERE!
Bruce Blair
This is great ! Finally a President that cares about America ! Let’s keep up the good work and make America great again ! Thank you President Trump !
I am glad that there is a movement to fix the VA. I believe that there are so many issues , it will take some time and serious work, like the work that is already being done to fix all the issues. Thank You both for your work on behalf of us Vets. Now then, what about the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Vets? I know it seems simple and it is hard for those that have not read the science behind our claim to understand that we have been exposed to Agent Orange, and actually more so than those brothers and sisters that were actually “boots on ground”, to the tune of a factor of X10! This is an ongoing issue, and we are dying out here from the same presumptive diseases as our brothers and sisters. Come on, when will the VA admit they have made a mistake and just fix it? This is a no brainer, and not fixing it is just criminal, and suggests that those stonewalling are the ones with no brains!
Remember those that are struggling and experiencing homelessness….we have not ended Veteran homelessness….the numbers are going down and we push for 0, we still have work to do and are diligently moving forward in hopes that funds are not cut for homeless Veterans!
Good news, I have an appeal since 2009 and I steel waiting for the response of Veterans Affears.
Not sure if my first comment went through didn’t look like it basically 40 Years of fighting with the VA little over 20 years ago couldn’t find my records couldn’t find my records that started in the seventies hospital records are lost they got burned in Georgia 20 years ago no no hospital records no hospital records imagine 20 years ago no hospital records in the hospital records called California the girl told me out California that the records are in Saint Louis drove to st. Louis to see if the records were there if they weren’t little girl said hold on a minute nobody’s here let me see if I can find them for you 40 minutes later hospital records in the hand we stood up for this country and fought for this country and many of us lost our lives in this country those are heroes the Schmucks it never been into the service dictating what’s going on with the VA and whatnot is just behind me still trying to get through with the VA
I hope that something can be done about the VA and health care in-general.
My experience with the VA is of extreme problematic. They destroyed my health through surgeries that were not needed; simply did it because they could and needed the numbers for their resume. I have used some good VA doctors, but the problem is I’ve ran into some bad doctors that ruined my health. The bad have outnumbered the good ones.
I have filed written complaints for the Director of the medical hospital, but the complaints were thrown in the trash and the Director never saw them. Plus, the VA has no process for redress of complaints; no 3rd party review.
I have had a major health disease (4+ years) and my VA doctors have never been able to diagnose it. So, I’m going to do it on my own. I have private health insurance and I will get it done w/o the VA. This disease is costing my health. I contracted it at the VA facilities that I have used over the years. Its most likely Hepatitis C or something like that, undiagnosed in over 30 blood tests.
how do i get in touch with trumps people concerning wrong people working at VA – you have the wrong person serving as secretary of vets affairs – he is not a veteran and does not understand enlisted personal and there needs – i do – and i can do the job – am tired of all the jerking around of my fellow vets – Shulkin knows nothing about PTSD – i have studied this for 4 years and have created a veterans therapy facility to address this issue – meds do not work – also we need an evaluation facility where people returning from combat can go for testing and not be just dumped on the street after combat – i need to contact someone in Trumps office about this – i will not accept the current treatment of my fellow veterans anymore –
This is literally the first photo I’ve ever seen of Trump at a VA facility, after campaigning ad nauseam on the backs of veterans. I’m betting it was a short visit, since he’s always in a rush to get back to Mara Lago for the weekend. His weekly trips there cost taxpayers millions of dollars, which should be put towards the VA instead, along with the billions that his “family businesses” are going to make after he cuts corporate taxes. This is no friend of the military or the working class, he is the epitome of hypocrisy.
I’m particularly wondering what benefits to veterans have been identified and targeted for elimination for potential savings. I guess we’ll figure it out when it happens to be missing,
“The department has identified potential savings in delivery of benefits to Veterans”.
I have been waiting on an appeal decision for over 3 years now. I have lukemia now and they say I don’t have agent orange. I have already had my hearing in front of the board for my approval 7 mon. ago. Can’t get in touch with my DAV rep. They won’t answer and don’t answer emails either. So now what. We are fighting a losing battle AGAIN
A patient for 40 years. The VA as organized is unsuitable and unacceptable. The CHOICE program is a complete failure based on my personal experience. RECOMMENDSTION: Outsource care functions common outside the VA. Let me take my card to any healthcare provider I choose, when I want and where I want. No cost to me. No billing me. Down size the VA equal to demand loss to equalize any incremental cost. Eventually it will be cheaper.
Due to exposure to Agent Orange in Viet Nam, I was diagnosed with diabetes. The VA here is Seattle and my care center in Mount Vernon, Washington, have been outstanding with respects to my care. My only complaint is that I’ve been diagnosed with a heart condition (AFIB) which has been associated with my having diabetes. This condition is serious and has a major effect on my daily life. The VA has yet to respond to an appeal to include this condition in my disability. Thus, I while I get a prescription to lessen the effects, I’m not able to qualify for a possible fix, like a pace maker. I would hope the President and Mr. Shulkin will implement a plan to expedite claims that show new disabilities that records show to be associated with existing disabilities.
Big deal! More promises and more signed papers! I am tired of begging for help for a service connected injury in which has worsened. Now I completely understand why so many veterans take their own lives! As a female veteran, I have no idea what is keeping me going. I am right on the edge of giving up. With all the verbal, physical, and sexual abuse I have endured at VA, there isn’t much left that I even care about. Even the one area that meant the most to me at VA is becoming a sick victim of unkept promises and stupid politics. Health is more important than politics, or so I thought.
Twice the VA DOCTOR ordered things I needed for my 100 percent disability and was denied by some clerk in another office in the BACK? WHY DOES THE VA NOT FOLLOW WHAT THE DOCTORS HAVE ORDERED?
I’m fearful of doing my upgrade on my service connect claim because I was told by a American legion Rep be happy with what I got. If I did I could wake the sleeping dogs who may cut my benefit down.. Is that right
Hopefully, this will eliminate or at least get the attention of the rude, ill-mannered people that we veterans have to deal with in order to get care. i.e. Louis Stokes VA
I am hopeful that this results in improvements for vets. Beware the law of unintended consequences.
Thank you President Trump, For the last 8 years we had a President who just drove by the VA without stoping. (as in Arizona VA). I had my life saved by the VA, and will support the VA always.
Thank you President Trump. My Dad is WWII and son War for Iraqi Freedom. Both using VA services. Two Clinics in Florida and Colorado have been wonderful but the California Hospital one needs a bit of help. Thanks and God Bless.
Great, so now we have VA employees spying on each other and nothing has been done to curb continued long wait to make an appointment and the need to hire more docs and build more hospitals. Opting out using the Choice program is also a joke. Very view docs accept VA fees due to slow pay. VA and Choice coordination is awful. The Choice program can bill you for up to two years after care and the EOB info is very limited!
President D.J Trump has by far done more for Veterans, than any other President ever have. Bravo for all Veterans who have wore the uniform in an honorable effort. It’s a long time coming. And let’s get rid of the choice program that whole entire system is so far off it’s mark, all it does is misappropriate Government funds.
Thank YOU. We have had many past Administrations committed to helping VETS and all we got was “when their lips were moving, they were lying about help”. It is a pleasure to see someone, somewhere help the folks that keep us free. A novel plan.
I just don’t understand the negativity of people that are on here against our President, if you don’t like our country and our president leave the country now.
Finally a President who truly cares about veterans and is smart enough to implement policies and procedures to get rid of incompetent deadweight and others who only work(i.e., occupy a position and/or desk) to get a paycheck. Hopefully, with time, these new policies and procedures can improve the Augusta, GA VA facilities which has numerous employees who could care less about those of us who served and were wounded in combat. Additionally, many of their employees are obvious “black” racist who tend to take care of their soul brothers and sisters but only give the very minimum effort to service white or other ethnic people.
My disability claims are currently 10 years and 8 months old I went through the court of appeals for veterans claims the decision was favorable to me it was reached in October of 2016 and it was mandated in January 2017 I have been asking the bva to follow the court order and the bva has consistently ignored several letters I have sent to them. No other government agencies like the IRS the Social Security Administration would be allowed to adjudicate a claim for 10 years and eight months with no decision. Delays a built-in to the VA disability claims system when the system is supposed to be non adversarial and pro-claimants. I am waiting for an employee inside the VA benefits system to step forward and admit the adversarial attitude VA has against Claimant.
41 years of delays to fix the botched surgery done I West Germany in 1975 ! Please give me the green light to eliminate their lives.previous admin. fail to fire them ,now another appeal to avoid 4 hr drive to that house of death John DingellVA hospital for total knee replacement that was your job to do 41 frigging years ago. This failure has cost jobs ,marrages, and nearly my son. I contacted the I G numerous times ,worthless , formal appeals in Detroit MI , they failed to show up , in their out building.cost $228.00 in diesel.,Champions of choice (redacted)failed to get me $228.00 in dental for a covered root canel. Same guy and (redacted) over ruled last 2 VA doctors require loCal surgery. Nope zero star in detroit, no E.R. no P.T. Nothing called best practices.
Whether we like President Trump or not, it’s become obvious that he recognizes ,despite many very competent, caring VA employees, there is also a “vast sea of deadwood and bureaucracy” at many, if not all, levels and areas. It may not be fixed overnight, but watch the scrambling begin now.
As a recently retired VA employee, I have brought some blatant problems in veteran employment discrimination to light in the form of a detailed letter the the Director of one of the 3 largest VA’s in the country. It’s been 6 months now and I haven’t received the common courtesy, respect to a former veteran employee or professionalism of an acknowledgement, never mind a response. Any possible improvement, probably much too late and too long coming, that comes about because of President Trump’s initiative, is much needed.
No plan to get rid of the crappy attitudes of the VA Staff Doctors?
Been fighting VA for over 7 yrs they got lawyers who tell you they Can t help you but they should have lawyers to help you also they fight against you so hard and its a shame it ain’t right
How about allowing VA health clinics to follow State/local construction guidelines? The replacement CBOC in Bremerton, WA was just cancelled, because it didn’t meet VA seismic requirement, but did meet State/local seismic requirements. This clinic was supposed to be in service by 2014.
I moved to Biloxi MS a year and a half ago and I went to the Biloxi VA for continuing care. Since I have been there I was labeled as having a history of alcohol and drug abuse. This label has had an extreme negative effect on my care. I came here with over ten years years of labs that clearly shows no alcohol or drug abuse whatsoever. These labs have disappeared from my current Confidential Medical Records but not before I download it to my laptop. I have had encountered several medical professionals and discussed my experience with this VA and the word “malpractice” surfaces a lot along with “was that dr trying to kill you”. This is a small part of the crap that I have been putting up with.
The “Choice” system as it stands is a joke, a pain and a hassle beyond the word nightmare! I would like to see every Veteran with an Honorable, Medical or General Discharge receive an I.D. card that he can take to any Doctor, Hospital, Medical Clinic and or Mental Health Care agency, show the card, get the necessary treatment without hassle, without providing proof of insurance. I didn’t ask for any guarantees from my country when I enlisted in the USMC and spent over 2 years in Vietnam. However it would be nice to not be treated as second class expendable personnel.
I am one of the many veterans fighting for my disability claim. It’s going on 8 years that I’ve been fighting the VA.
I’m very pleased that we have resident Trump. It gives us all hope.
I wish everyone could see that this is just a photo op for Trump. I won’t diminish the office of the president by addressing him as president. Trump’s 100 days ends this weekend. This is a way to make him look as good as possible. He doesn’t care about veterans or anyone else in this country but his self. Watch what he does instead of what he says. He’s a crook and only wants to line his pocket with our money. Be smarter than this people!
checked out new website re waiting time to see primary care dr—kingman az clinic says 6 day average-actually it is 30-35 days-just more lies–60 plus days with veteran choice using the va contractor–example= 9months for hernia surgery…cmon trump quit worrying about your rich friends and trying to start more wars and causing more disabled vets–or were you promising to help vets at the same time talking deals with russia?
I’m a Vietnam Veteran (Blue Water) and I worked on the USS Ticonderoga flight deck. I was treated for prostate cancer, and because I did NOT set foot on the ground in Vietnam, I will not receive any benefits. I was told by the local VA to submit a claim, and I did in 2006. When I check on-line, there’s NO change for the Blue Water Veterans. Very sad.
Regards,
RDP
I have a claim pending since 6/29/2010 for my wrist and calf which I have denial. I have two case went to the board of Veteran Appeals and waited up to 5 years and won both of them. Now I have another claim going to board of veteran appeals for the 3rd time, now I have to wait another 5 years for this (redacted). VA claims I have lost of limb for my wrist and getting worst because nobody will hire me with this condition. I’m set at 90% and VA continues to stop my case. Now we go against the judge again. Why does this continue to Veterans who having problems with medical cases?
I’m afraid this doesn’t mean much until the VA does what industry has to do to survive: get rid of lazy, incompetent employees. By the way, when is SOMEONE going to make a decision on the 17 presumptive diagnoses related to Agent Orange? No one seems willing do the right thing and recognize the real, on-going damages occurring from Agent Orange.
As much as I like what he’s doing here, I hate to see another bureaucracy being formed.
Thank you
I have always had good service at the Indianapolis VA.
I think the VA does a fantastic job. My Father is a WWII NAVY Veteran and he gets excellent care and always has from all the facilities. Great Doctors and Nurses! Thank You.
My God—It’s obvious if you read the EO’s that Trump is incompetent!
This is a Fantastic occurance, where the Vets are getting some care. Why do you think this is something to baulk at? Why would you think of it as incompetence? Think, if the Social Work Department, at the VA Hospitals can be beefed up, how many could be served, perhaps in finding themselves a way in Lifetime.
I don’t see this as incompetence at all. He’s American, he’s hard working, he has a close group of people who obviously are working with him. The incompetent are currently logistically placed in our Main Stream Media these days, reporting only half truths and skimming over majors stories in some cases. Perhaps you are duped.
It would appear you feel he is incompetent because to do not like his EOs. To each his own, I believe the previous president was incompetent because I did not agree with his EOs , so there you go.
Thank you Diana, someone that actually read the EO and isn’t praising him like a dictator or emperor. HE HASN’T ACTUALLY DONE OR CHANGED ANYTHING. REPUB’s CONTROL ALL 3 BRANCHES. THEY COULD HELP US VETS by DOING ANYTHING, BUT THEY AREN’T ACTUALLY DOING ANYTHING. THIS IS NOTHING MORE THAN A STUNT SO PRESIDENT TRUMP CAN TAKE CREDIT FOR HELPING VETS. ONCE AGAIN, THIS EXECUTIVE ORDER DOES NOTHING. NOTHING AT ALL-PERIOD. READ IT IF YOU DON’T BELIEVE ME. BONUS QUESTION-DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW LONG AN EXECUTIVE ORDER STAYS IN PLACE OR WHAT IT TAKES TO OVERTURN IT? ALSO, WHY NOT JUST PASS A LAW THE TRADITIONAL WAY, REPUBS CONTROL ALL 3 BRANCHES. Come on, we as vets should know just a little about how the government works, seeing as how all vets worked for the government once.
Exactly
I posted a couple of things and they are awaiting moderation what that means I have no idea. Has Trump caught on to fact that Shulkin has been in the VA and didn’t make a difference then and will not now
Think you’re confused. Trump is not only competent, he is FINALLY doing something about all the corruption the Democrats have implemented over the past decade. THANK GOD for a President who is a “business” man and supports the middle and lower class who pay “most” of this country’s taxes.
Well Diane you might as well accept the incompetent Trump is going to be your president for eight years after all we had to deal with our movie star, comedian and the most devider of the people in this country, I think his name is Barrack Husain Obama, sounds like Muslim right.
If you can do better, run for any elected office. Complaining does nothing to better anyone or anything. Are you part of the problem? Or solution?
– US Navy female Vet
Get rid of the middle man “Choice”. They are AWFUL and uncaring when it comes to veterans, especially female ones. My VA doctor found a lump in my right breast, and ordered an immediate mamma gram and ultrasound. It took a month to get my appointment. And I had to fight Choice the entire way. It was the worse experience ever!!! I caught them in several lies throughout this process or possibly it was that they just hires incompetent people. Whatever the case, it was the most heartless group of people with whom I’ve ever dealt. TheWomen’s health section of the Dublin VA is WONDERFUL!!! I couldn’t ask for better care providers as a woman veteran; however Choice needs to be eliminated. They are a waste of tax payer dollars. I should contact my Congressman after my experience this past month. Pathetic !!
Mammogram-1 word
Ditto! Choice is a waste of time & tax dollars. Either they don’t know the rules or just don’t care. Terminate or renovate!!
When I had an emergency, my wife called “Choice” and they were not friendly and told her to call the VA. When she called the hospital in Amarillo , they were helpful in telling her what to do in the situation.
What about the forgotten WIDOWS OF THE VIETNAM WAR WHOSE Husband DIED AFTER SPRAYING THE CHEMICALS AGENT ORANGE
Totally agree. I worked w Agent Orange as a Chemist as a Civil Service Employee. I worked abt 18 yrs w many chemicals and pesticides. I got very ill. The government would not let me go out on medical disability. I ended up having to hire an attorney and after 2 to 3 yrs got my Worker’s Compensation.
Every year, I must provide medical proof that I cannot return to work. Pacemaker w defibrillator, lungs and other organs were affected. Gee I would rather be healthy and working. So, the government is all RED, RED TAPE!
TO SAY THE LEAST !
I am so glad you mentioned this issue Mrs. Hatton! I am a daughter of a Vietnam Army pilot who was conceived during during this time. Subsequently, ALL THAT AGENT ORANGE WAS SPREAD TO MY MOTHER AND ME!! After years of lies by the VA SPINA BIFIDA PROGRAM, I am currently fighting for a level 3 rating as my health is deteriorating and my parents are aging and I desperately need to take care of myself. A great example of how amazingly INEPT, LAZY, & full of LIES that prevails in this system is when I first requested information about level 3, and the representative said to me, “Well can you feed yourself?” and I replied “Yes, but I do meet many of the requirements!” She said, “YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BE APPROVED, SO I AM NOT GOING TO SEND YOU THE APPLICATION.”
I was so shocked I couldn’t say a thing. However, I am now in the fight of my life and the VA SPINA BIFIDA REPRESENATIVES HAVE INTIMIDATED me in every manner possible until I was appointed to an individual who at least takes my calls!! I will most likely be DEAD BEFORE I OBTAIN A LEVEL 3 rating!!!
I didn’t hear one STINKING WORD FROM TRUMP ABOUT CLEANING UP THIS PROGRAM !
A little too late!
A little too late, indeed, but better late than never! :)
Amen to that!!!
Thank GOD, we finally have a President who will keep his word and help those people whom have sacrificed everything to keep us safe, our heroes, the veterans… God bless America….
What word?
Great, so now we have VA employees spying on each other and nothing has been done to curb continued long wait to make an appointment and the need to hire more docs and build more hospitals. Opting out using the Choice program is also a joke. Very view docs accept VA fees due to slow pay. VA and Choice coordination is awful. The Choice program can bill you for up to two years after care and the EOB info is very limited!
These government employees are not doing their jobs. They are use to looking at their phones and computers and ignoring the patients. Management needs to pay attention to the activities of the staff. Maybe the employees will do their jobs if they know their co-workers are watching as management is not.
What assistance/interest are given to those former employees that, through corruptive actions that go way above and beyond lying, to rid of federal employees because of speaking out on the wrong doings and unjust accusations like myself. Resulting in removal by the Director of the each VA medical facility and ending the careers and future of these employees involved that have given many years of service to the VA and without any voice??? The I’ve written to Dr. Shulkin on this very issue during the time he was Assistant Secretary and also during the current time after being assigned as Secretary of the VA. Absolutely nothing, no acknowledgement, response what so ever, which in the real sense, doesn’t surprise me. AFGE has done nothing and has no real protections for its members on both the National and local levels. All talk but no real protection. I’m a former VA Federal Employee with approximately 15 of my final years of service (age 63) that this has been allowed to judged by this corrupt nature by the management team of the Dallas Texas VA Medical System and AFGE Local .”2437 including AFGE Regional and National Office. I’ve lost everything resulting through this above well practiced and well documented action.
This is horrible. Try Tweeting the President. He always seems to be following & commenting on Twitter. Prayers for you. Your situation is sickening and I know it’s going on. I and my family and friends have been through similar situations. We were crucified for the sins of the others.
Dear Ted DElgado, Please contact me at my email address:(redacted). I to have a complete detailed report along with evidence showing the horrible actions of the Dallas VA, which has been held up in the appeals process since 2014. I believe we can help each other. Thank, Mary
Congratulations Messrs Trump and Shulkin for implementing improved accountability and Whistle blower Protection. All government employees must be held accountable for their actions. This will lead to real improvement. I wish and hope Mr. Trump and his Team members will also look into Medicare. It is a common knowledge there is a lot of fraud in Medicare. The suppliers cheating Medicare. We need a Directive for Medicare that disqualifies a supplier that knowingly (or intentionally) cheats Medicare. There should be severe consequences. Thank you. Allen Carr
Amen!
Today, The VA in Columbia, Mo. would not set up an appointment for me. I am registered with them. I got this…”We will call you”
Yes & we need new v.a.hospitals we need one here in the palm springs ca right now we have to go 58 miles just to see a doctor.
If the President truly wants to fix the VA healthcare system nationwide for the care of our veteran’s, Why does’nt he use the tools available to him, such as the UNDERCOVER BOSS tv series.
Because that would be illegal!
President Trump legally dodged the draft. He never experienced VA health care. I’d be surprised if he even accepts personal phyician physicals from Walter Reed as is standard norm for POTUS.
Since he boasted he is smarter than the Generals, don’t be surprised if still uses his private Doc – who obeys his directions and says his health is perfectionism personified.
My President
You are doing a good. Keep putting America First and don’t listen to the fake news media out there.
You have done in 98 days what most Presidents did in two years
Yeah…not much. Will this executive order put more money into increase quality doctors to VA, no…does it offer direct services to homeless vets, no…does it create a new job with executive pay for one more of his buddies, yes. Not my president!
Keep up the push to better serve Veterans. I once went to the VA. It was a terrible experience.
Larry M Binder
USAF Veteran
Binder from TSGT Zimmerly’s Basic Training at Lackland, January 1969?
Michael Hibbard here. On Facebook.
THE VA IS LITERALLY KILLING MY DAD AS WE SPEAK! NOONE WILL LISTEN AND NOONE WILL HELP……
That is the real problem. No one seems to care. Try making an appointment with both your Senator and Congress person. I know how you feel; absolutely impotent. Sorry and good luck. Arthur
What VA Ms. Gerner? Could you give a brief description of what is happening?
I feel for you Tammy. The VA killed my husband too! No one listened. The nurses and aides at the Northport N.Y. Hospital were abusive, lazy and uncaring. The Doctors relied too much on the medical students, and no one read any notes. One Doctor didn’t know what the other Doctor did or ordered. No communication between services. My husband passed away and his dying words were “get them for what they did to me”. I have to live with this and rue the day I had him hospitalized there.
Tammy,
I’m a service connected combat Vietnam Veteran, and a former VA Regional Office employee. Go on-line – to: https://veterans.house.gov
This is the Congressional – House Committee on Veterans Affairs. You should contact them via email, call them on the telephone, write them. It’s important to keep a record of all calls, correspondence, anything related to contacting them, who you speak with, what they said, when (date and time) they told you something. The House Committee on Veterans Affairs passes all funding allocations and bills associated with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
Secondly, you should also contact the Director of the VA Medical Center where your dad is being treated. The squeaky wheel – gets the grease. Tell them at the local VA – if you don’t help my Dad, I will contact the VA’s Central Office in Washington DC.
Best Wishes to you and your father, Tammy!
Matthew Jenkins
Northville, Michigan
Wow .. this is so great..needed a long time ago …we r so ready for a business man w guts! We are going to maga.. thank you
My father died of a heart attack because the VA put off his appointment 35 days after he died of a heart attack.
As a whistleblower and continuing to be treated disrespectfully day after day it begins to take a blow to your self esteem and your mood. It is like being a battered wife, every day, it kills your spirit and challenges your will to go on at a place that is emotionally abusive. Hard for many to see, so covert, but it is there slowing chipping off your desire to be visible.
All we can do is wait and see , as a Veteran and Employee. The biggest waste of money is all the outsourcing and using contractors, the VA like all other Federal Agencies hire Journeyman and skilled craftsman. But instead of holding them accountable and making people do there job , managers will contract the work out . The press and Secretary talk about issues with the health care, its more than that. The Secretary needs to look into all departments within the VA , and calling the Inspectors office that’s a joke. I was hired as Journeyman Pipefitter, and have complained , send emails, left messages and stated the issues in every survey the VA sends out asking about management for over 5 years. And nothing, accept being labeled a trouble maker. This is only place I have ever seen where you are labeled something negative for wanting to just do what you were hired to do.
I can say this, there is a definite lack of leadership. Why that is I cannot say for sure. My best guess is that it is almost impossible to terminate a worker under a union contract. This is something common to almost all government agencies where lack of accountability instills fear in many citizens. Government workers generally vote in blocks. Politicians like Obama like having that block of votes to count on. So they won’t do anything to
upset that block of votes. This is why there’s hope with Trump. He;s not a career politician. I think that has much to do with why he was elected. Let’s hope he stay’s true to that. It may be our last chance for change.
I see it every time I go to the va. People there want to do a good job for the veteran however they get kicked in the teeth so they keep quiet and try to do their job . If you want to speak to their boss u can’t find him because he doesn’t want to be bothered. The patient advocate is no help. I could go on and on but there is no use.
God bless you. I know exactly what you are going through. Stay strong & go by the book. Prayers for you
Bout time.
I’ll believe it when I see it. Still waiting on response from my appeal that was filed over a year ago. I call, leave messages and no response. Doctor misdiagnosed my husband for two years. I had to take him to local doctor to find out he had stage 4 cancer. The whole time I was telling the doctor there was something wrong. Then technician radiated him without covering his soma. This resulted in his death. But the VA said no one was at fault. God help the VA , no one else can.
Your comments here are inappropriate and insulting to what this good news represents for us veterans. The election is over and our Commander in Chief is doing what he said he would strive to do….take care of vets. Take your hate filled heart to a comment site that embraces your opinion and allow veterans to celebrate the forward progress currently happening in the White House.
Michael Means: Your comments here are inappropriate and insulting to what this good news represents for us veterans. The election is over and our Commander in Chief is doing what he said he would strive to do….take care of vets. Take your hate filled heart to a comment site that embraces your opinion and allow veterans to celebrate the forward progress currently happening in the White House.
What good did B.O do for our service men and women? Obama wanted to charge injured and wounded troops for their own healthcare. You must have forgot
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/03/17/obama.veterans/
And yes, I’m a combat wounded (infantry) Soldier. So I do have skin in this game
Thank God for PRESIDENT TRUMP.
Bravo-red-1 out!! Hand-mic drop
If it wasn’t for President Trump none of this would be possible. It’s time someone said something about the Previous administrations handling of the Veterans Affairs. All President Obama did was give lip service. So, quit running your mouth about President Trump, at least He has kept his promises, that I can’t say about the previous administration.
Michael Means
The most annoying and dumbest comment I have seen in this blog.
Just as dumb to criticize someone for doing something that will be beneficial. I am not necessarily a Trump fan, but I do believe in constructive criticism and giving praise when it is obviously due.
Give the President time, he’s done more in 100 days then, last 8 years under the last administration. You liberal’s better wake up and support the POTUS, You ought to be happy that the other people did not win the Election. So quit complaining and get your head on right
Amen! These veterans will be visited and surveilled for their claim for disability claims as they did during the 70’s. Visitation to your home. discussions with your neighbors ad nauseum. They are not bring these doctors be cause the VA need doctors, it’s to observe the performance of doctors in ascertaining the disability of the veteran. This is not new for the veterans administration. The line of veterans needing help will not be shortened. What the hell can HHS do that is not being done? Our prescriptions are purchased at the best price of any agency in the USA. Do not get greedy private industry in a non-profit agency. It makes no sense. Beware of posts from Russia. The USA intell. has identified their input into email platforms and other online communications.
Watch the attrition rate of doctors and the denial rate of claims. Demand that they be published. And lastly be careful what you ask for. You may get it along with something that you do not want. Why would this web site want your email and full name?
30 public health doctors for the whole VA system is ludicrous. That would be just enough for one hospital.I work for the VA and I am a veteran.We are short in all areas but I must say this VA does an outstanding job working with what they have. Can’t say that for some VA hospitals.
Trump never should have appointed Obama-Holdover, David Shulkin as his VA Secretary. As Obama’s Unddersecretary of the VA, Shulkin constantly alibiied the terrible performance of numerous VA Executives, including the curren Phoenix Hospital Director (who had been “canned” as St. Louis Diector 4 years before). Shulkin continues to “Circle the Wagons” for VA Executives, rather than worki g for Vets.
It is about time Trump finally did something besides criticize former Presidents and play with little white balls with a skinny stick. Most annoying and dumbest President ever. M
Stop drinking the kool-aid and see what is going on around you.
Michael Means—you may no means understand or know much. Get yours fact right before you post—this post makes you sound dumb and stupid
You have remind me that my tolerance of Dingbats needs a lot of work. Thanks!
Your an (redacted) and I’ll bet you never served in the military. Military ppl have honor you clearly do not!!!
You must be suffering from memory loss.
President Obama repeatedly blamed the bad economy on President Bush even though it was a Democratic dominated Congress that pushed high-risk home loans and selectively bailed out Wall Street and General Motors, but let their executives keep their multi million dollar bonuses. Meanwhile he’s holding in Hawaii and Michelle’s vacationing in Spain.
Golfing, not holding
Former President Obama should be doing what in your opinion? Should he be confined to his home and not allowed to live his life?
A 100 days in and you expect President Trump to solve the total mess that Obama left after 8 years of complete failure. It will take more than a 100 days to undo the disaster Obama left behind.
ŒOthers complain about our president,but its about time that they are looking at the unseen,unspoken conditions veterans have to deal with,young or old,we ALL matter. I salute the president for his efforts. SALUTE!!
In les than 100 days, and in spite of “owl-eyed” obstructionist Dems, he has upset the status quo. Make America Great Again
Wow that is even greater than I could have imagined! President Trump, you are as brilliant as they come. I am so glad you got elected, and I know the Veterans are too!
The VA Hospice in Aspinwall of Pittsburgh PA had very poor management of their staff. Most of the time it was hard to find anyone at their work stations. Tap water was restricted because of possible legionella bacteria and at least 10 patients doors were marked with possible contamination and no entry unless wearing protective coverings. My patient contacted MRSA. Only one doctor was on staff at the hospice and visited my patient only once on entry to the facility. it took 45 minutes for anyone to come to the patient’s room when the bedside call bell was pressed. There was no choice of meals and the staff would not allow me to spend the night with the patient on his last days. I intend to bring this to the attention to our government officials so that this does not happen to anyone else.
I know it’s not too priority but I have been waiting over 4 years for a disability review that I have Marine Corps medical records showing a service connection disability. It has effected all aspects of my live and income and I can’t even get anyone to hear my properly filled appeal. John Potts
This is a forum, not directly monitored by any VA employee. Don’t post all your info here like that Mr. Potts, it could easily fall into the wrong hands.
Mr Potts thank you for your service. Have you asked the DAV for help? The VA Medical Center should have a Social Dept and they may be willing to help. I can only speak about the VA Medical Center Loma Linda and they have a Master Social Worker who would cut thru the red tape because he cares about Veterans. Search for someone in your area who can assist you.
For the others the VA Medical Center should have a patient advocate who assists you with problems you have with that VA Medical Center.
Patient advocates are useless. Get the DAV to help
I agree. Patient advocate is a scam. Nothing but a front.
Need to go see a County veteran service officer or a Veteran service organization to help you with the claim. Normally does not take that long and you will want to find out why.
Do what I did – contact your congressman! I have the misfortune to being served by the Phoenix VA DeathCare Facility. I broke my back in 2 places 40 years ago in a parachute jump while in the US Army. Thirty years after the accident I had a Lumbar Fusion done and was told by my surgeon at the time that I would need additional surgery in 4-5 years. He was spot on as 5 years later I had a second surgery. Both of these were done outside the Phoenix VA facility. I talked with a patient whose had four surgeries at the Phoenix hospital and they’ve screwed up all of the procedures. I’m approaching the point where I’m needing either a third surgery or getting a spinal cord stimulator to mask the pain signals from my lower back and legs. I would prefer the stimulator as it’s less invasive, but pain is a way of your body telling you to be careful. I will tell you this – I will NOT allow any surgeon at the VA operate on me – especially as an ortho surgeon from the same VA facility told me they were incapable of providing the kind of surgery I would be needing.
Don’t be afraid of speaking out! Demand the proper care you deserve!
Yes…I have two appeals more than 3 years old….really sucks
You need to “do a Congressional.” In other words, call your congressman’s office where you will speak with an aide. Things will get done.
Awesome
About time
Agreed.
His wife is eligible for Dependent Indemnity Compensation. DIC is something for dependents of a veteran who died of a service connected condition.
Always to little to late. I lost a friend back in October 2016. He was a decorated marine from Vietnam conflict. Because of all the chemicals used over there, he got sick. For years he complained, and the VA danced around the obvious. Bout a year before he died, the VA finally admitted that his conditions were a directly caused from his service.
Now here’s the sad part! He died within 10 days of his wife, being eligible to collect his pension. For serving his country.
To little, to late. The American dream
I got hurt playing basketball in 1994 it is 2017 I have a hurt back a crack number five virtabrate both knees and shoulders hurt and can’t get my disability James Hester (redacted)Is it someone that help me out! God bless you!
Did you get hurt on active duty? If not you will not be awarded anything. But you can apply for Social Security disability.
And especially when they don’t tell you of the problem until 50 years after it happens. The Agent Orange and Sarin Nerve gas they used in Vietnam. And they wonder why I no longer stand for the National Anthem. Who could be proud o a country that acts like Nazi Germany.
I’m so sorry this happened to you. I too hav a friend who is a Veteran like us that lost most of his friends to this kind of experience. And my step father served in. Ietnam, his horrors and nightmares were always too much to bear. The weight of that crisis dragged so many servicemen (and women) down in that era into alcohol use or drug abuse from the e postures and killings they did to survive. He never got over killing women & children. It haunted him. He died too young.
I’m so sorry this happened to you. I too have a friend who is a Veteran like us that lost most of his friends to this kind of experience. And my step father served in. Vietnam, his horrors and nightmares were always too much to bear. The weight of that crisis dragged so many servicemen (and women) down in that era into alcohol use or drug abuse from the e postures and killings they did to survive. He never got over killing women & children. It haunted him. He died too young.
Thanks for this there are people that don’t need to work for the VA. For I myself have been abused several times at the VA clinic I go to here in California. Whether it was verbal or physical it still is not right. Make you feel that the freedoms we Veterans have fought for was for nothing. Keep up with the good ideas and roll with the punches. Thanks again.
How true your words seem! I moved here from another state (KS) where VA services were exemplary.
Here in California the large facilities have been helpful but the clinics have issues, mostly with personnel
And just a few not all of personel at these facilities
Are lacking. Still it becomes disheartening to receive sub care by a few. Thanks mr. shillings & president Trump, for the new initiatives! You are giving some of us hope!
I am very happy that President Trump and VA Secretary Dr David Shulkin sees the need to Improve the VA. I have been fighting the VA for 42 Years for my Disability.
Francis, it took my husband 25 yrs..He is now total and permanent 100% disabled.
42 years?!?!?!
I am grateful as well. I have been fighting for my benefits for 8years and it has been a long hard journey!! This has been needed for so long now!! I pray this all works out!! To many of us have been neglected and mishandled!!
I’ve been trying to get my disability since 2010. And the person who said she did all the paperwork screwed it up & is now in prison for fraud & thefts while in a government office. Even my Congress Woman can’t push it any faster in Ohio.
I wish Veterans like Reservist, etc. that has served in the military for at least *ten* years can use the BX and commissary.
Presently, we can not!
Dear President Trump: Can you change that for us?
I know we would be able to access them at the end of this year (Nov 11, 2017)
I knew I’d elected the right man for the job!
I’m disabled and rated at 90%, being denied full 100% disability rating. I was told told one knee can flex more than the other, therefore denied full benefits. I thought military retirement would mean DVA would take care of my ailments. I pay much of my money to civilian doctor to ease my pain. No nonsense when campaigning, and hasn’t let up on his promises to the American people. Thank you and Rock On President Trump!!
Why do we continue to waste time, money and most of all veterans health trying to fix a broken system. The only answer is to shut down the VA and allow veterans to seek care at doctor’s and facilities of their choice. The VA is a great example of why we don’t want the government handling our healthcare.
I disagree with you abut needing to shut down the VA. I do however believe they need to improve in patient care and treatment. Their care should be judged against their peers in practice outside the VA. Then the veteran should be allowed to decide if they want treatment at the VA or allowed to seek treatment outside the VA. Along with that decision should go the money to treat each veteran, so whichever decision the veteran makes, the government is responsible for their treatment, depending on the veteran’s service disability and co-pay.
You need to remember that there are a lot of veterans around the country who have jobs working at VA’s. That being said, to simply end the VA’s would mean a lot of healthcare workers and veterans that would be out of jobs. A lot of these healthcare workers like their jobs helping veterans, so why should they be punished for helping us?
I heard from a VA worker / veteran about a week ago that the VA keeps turning his father-in-law (also a combat veteran as he is) down when all he wants is for the VA to take care of his hearing aides and their batteries. The father-in-law was in artillery under fire in a water landing, but the VA keeps turning him down because he went out to get another job so he and his wife can live better after he had retired in this economy, so the VA says he makes too much money. Too much money when he was in combat putting his life on the line for his family and country. That sounds like total crap to me and I bet a lot of other veterans. What do the veterans on this page think of that for treatment of a combat veteran??? We need to start voicing our feelings to the appropriate people in government so things change! If we don’t continue fighting for our brothers and sisters who signed that blank check to enlist in the military, then we deserve the scraps they give us!
Keep going President Trump and Vice President Pence! Don’t stop building this great country we once had back up to her previous stature and beyond, where she should have been a long time ago! Treat our veterans with the respect we had when each of them enlisted to protect AMERICA and all AMERICANS that believe in her and what she stands for. I don’t doubt this is a tough job, but I believe in you both, so I know you won’t let anyone or anything, political parties included, keep this from happening! I pray for both of you and your families as I know you all need it with the jobs you have undertaken a little over 100 days ago. We put our trust in you and I believe in MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! I’m proud to be a veteran and an AMERICAN! GOD BLESS AMERICA!
The only way your friend will get hearing aides is to apply for hearing disability service connected. I am a Vocational Rehab specialist with the VA and a veteran .They will give him service connected disability caused by being in Field Artillery. Might be only 10-20 % but it will cover getting hearing aides
We’ve been here before. Promises Promises. And when done we are worse off than before . Difference is the way you spell their names. And you now have no paper work as nexus because they with their great and improved system threw the paper evidence away. 13 years of my over 25 years services Medical records and OMPF are missing and have been since 1973. No help in finding anything . Just “NO EVIDENCE” Denied. For this retired Veteran of the Cold War and Border Operations as well as Vietnam and Tet Death can not come soon enough. I’m tired worn out sick.
Any time you remove federal guide lines and introduce private sector thinking your gonna end up with a bunch of screwed over vets simply because private sector thinking involves for profit. “For profit” means do the minimum for the maximum return. Mark my words. When the private sector enters the VA all its going to do is destroy service and screw the vets. PROMISE!!
Your absolutely correct! Pres. G.W. Bush promised to run the gov’t as a business and look what happened to that. No thanks to privatization.
Don’t give up fighting. Never give up. You must be your best advocate to the VA. Present good evidence and you will receive your proper compensation.
Improve it they need to rid these drs from other countries and give us real drs that care about us. I quit using the va because of the treatment i get from the drs. Their thieves liars and i mean everyone working there. People donate stuff and the workers steal it. They cut our pain meds its a joke. I lost my legs for mistreatment. They hire the worse of the worse. The nurses have techs and the nurse ends up doing her job and the techs. Ask the nurses. And patient advocates their a joke. But u know what nothings going to change nothing. They need to do back groud checks on all workers but they hire anyone who walks in the door. This order is a joke…
I lost my legs for my country and all i get is mistreatment is what i meant to say.
I’m all for taking care of our veterans since I’m one and we deserve our benefits but why must we always create another department or position to get the job done? Why not just hold those already in positions of authority accountable and if they don’t get the job done fire them.
Phil. You are spot on. What I want/need to know is HOW do I communicate with the VA?? Contact info is impossible to locate. I have a whole lot of info they must learn about concerning one of their hospitals and the early demise of my brother caused by their ineptitude. Can ANYONE point me in the right direction? I’ve been trying for months to contact them to no avail. Thank you.
Ms. Price, you should have received an email asking for additional information so we can help put you in touch with those who can help.
In general, every VA medical center has contact information for the director posted on its public internet website. Visit the VAMC internet site (https://www.va.gov/health/vamc) and in the left navigation go to About Us > Leadership Team to find the name and phone number.
Whenever I have problems with the VA I go to Senator Steven Lynch who is on the Armed Services Committee . He gets right on any problem. I hear that Elizabeth Warren is now on the Armed Services committee and is pretty hung ho on veterans issues. Look him up on the internet and call him .He will definitely help
No vet should file and fight his or her own disability claim. I have found the the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) organization is the best way to deal with VA disability claims.
There is no requirement to join the DAV. DAV Service Officers are located in mosr VA hospitals and at local DAV offices.
They well take up your cause. Simply give them your Power of Attorney (POA) (for no charge) so they can get access to your medical records and represent at the VA.
The DAV Service Officers are specically trained to navigate the VA system on your behalf. They know how to get favorable results for you. It’s easy, free, and their service is friendly and tespectful.
They got my disability and as my new issues arose they were able to get me increased benefits.
Even if you’ve started your claim yourself, set up a DAV appointment today and stop dealing with the VA by yourself.
Good luck!
Yes close the Tuscaloosa VA first, thank God for president Trump
Th e psychiatrist there that I’ve been to lately rated 50% now they say I don’t have PTSD. For 2 years.Now they plan on cutting me off In60 days
I have been waiting for help for a broken shoulder for more than a YEAR,why can’t I get any help? t.net William j schmidt