VA Secretary Robert Wilkie will speak on the state of VA, community resources for Veterans, department priorities, and address questions from the last community town hall.
The online town hall will broadcast live on January 17, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET.
The Secretary will be joined by a panel of VA leaders, including:
- Dr. Richard Stone – Veterans Health Administration
- Dr. Paul Lawrence – Veterans Benefits Administration
- Randy Reeves – National Cemetery Administration
- Cheryl Mason – Board of Veterans Appeals
- Dr. Lynda Davis – Veterans Experience Office
- Dr. Kameron Matthews – Community Care
- Dr. Keita Franklin – Suicide Prevention
The Secretary and panelists will discuss how VA is focused on becoming the leader in customer experience and improving services to our nation’s Veterans. In addition, the Secretary and panelists will address questions submitted by the more than 150 Community Veterans Engagement Boards around the country.
Download the flyer here.
If you have questions, compliments, or concerns about VA benefits and services, please call the White House VA Hotline at 855-948-2311.
Click button below to register for the town hall
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Private industry would offer recordings after meeting and also transcripts. Just shows the big difference in government and private industry.
I am a retired veteran, I had no idea that veterans where being treated so badly.
How is this video not close captioned? Does Section 508 not apply to the VA?
Try clicking on the closed cation “CC” icon on the bottom right of the video next to the setting icon.
This was not close captioned when it originally ran.
When is the VA going to update the disability rating? It’s based off of a 1942 disability rating sheet. And secondly when is the VA actually going to show veterans show you actually rate us?
How*
I would respectfully like to request some sort of a solution for veterans requiring dental care, who are not 100% disabled and have no health insurance. I had an issue last year ( a hole in a tooth that went into the jawbone) that required emergency removal of a tooth and the VA was not willing or able to assist me because I am not 100% disabled and I do not have any kind of health insurance. After much trepidation and research, I was finally able to receive assistance at a free clinic, which was embarrassing.
I am a veteran with over two decades of combined active duty and national guard service, including combat tours and I thought that I would at least be entitled to have a tooth removed at the VA.
Thank you for listening!
Is VA in discussion with advocates of privatization such as David Koch? Please tell us the pros and cons. I currently receive superior care @ VA Palo Alto and am very worried about this effort.
Along the same lines as this request for dental care for those with less than a 100% disability. Many veterans require surgical procedures along our way. The problem is amplified considerably by the VA surgical units requiring that they must be certified as completely free from dental issues and possible infections in their mouths, before any surgeries can be performed. Hence, many Vets have to walk away form the surgeries that they may need to survive, because they simply cannot afford civilian dental repair costs..
The VA clinic I’m assigned to refuses to make urgent care appointments, the three times I’ve needed urgent care over the last six years I had to complain to the clinic manager to be seen. Several providers refuse to see me over these complaints and the one who will, keeps telling me I need to start using my private insurance for treatment. Is this the VA’s official position now? Additionally, they won’t give me an annual if I’ve had any kind of urgent care, so consequently, I haven’t had a physical for two years. The more I complaind the worse it seems to get and am at the point where I’m afraid to go there. I realize the system is overburdened, but when I’ve pressed the issue, doctors are usually off for an extended period of time, and I hardly see any patients in the waiting room (if any). They have had audits due to numerous complaints in their last town Hall, but nothing changes, I feel like all they want to do is take advantage of the system and serve them selves, you need to put a fly on the wall and see what’s really going on.
Why hasn’t the VA established a Camp Lejeune Health Registry?
for Randy Reeves – National Cemetery Administration
There is a small VA Cemetery in Staunton, VA, located on a main public road, that has buildings that apparently haven’t been painted for years. It looks abandoned and needs a little attention. Can something be done about this public embarrassment?
The cost of refurbishment would be minimal, as in one-ten thousandth of a single trip to Mara Lago.
Thanks.
When will the VA act on the issue of hypertension and it’s relationship to agent orange? Numerous studies have been completed and the overall findings were that hypertension is related to agent orange. The prior VA administrator stated if it was up to him, he would have concurred on its relationship, but it appears the final decision was shuffled off to the Director of OMB.? Go figure that one out. What professional medical degree does the OMB Director have to make this decision?
I hope they are going to institute a stronger and more frequent drug testing program, there are complete departments with in the VA of junkies mostly the EMS & Food service dept. I work in the chemical dependency program and they make up half of our patients, not fair to the Vets they treat or other Vets looking for work that aren’t junkies who will show up for work and not put others at risk.
Also I would like to see Easter made a VA holiday, Congress gets a 2 week vacation, We should at least get a paid day off.
I have some questions..
1) In this digital age, why does it take months or even a year to get a copy of a c-file?
2) Is anything being done to speed up the appeals that are in the legacy path?
3) When VA psychiatrists and psychologists diagnose you with PTSD why does the rating person get to overrule what the VA has diagnosed?
4) how long does an appeal sit in the “The review officer is finishing their review”? A year or more seems to be a bit much, yes?
calling the hotline several time s now, 855 948 2311 it never rings.
2- why does it take so long to make decisions on a claim when all the evidence is given>
3- why don’t they hire more people for the Viera clinic in Viera Florida.
4- Claims verse the comp&pen doctor, who is outside the lines, why does the VA take that over there own surgeons word of a veterans injuries when it comes to giving a proper rating?
You need to go to the office of patient advocacy and tell them your husband’s primary care doctor is not working out and therefore please assign.him a new primary care doctor
I won’t be able to join in on all of this
But would like to know why after 10 plus years the case I’ve had pending cannot be resolved My husband was in the Air Force for 21 years He was exposed to many toxins during his years, He passed away Jan 13 2006 Seems the VA wants to deny what he died from and wants to blame it on smoking Many smoked I’m sure and many are still alive, And I believe it is because others weren’t exposed to what my husband was.. I’m told not to give up but it’s becoming very stressful.
Hope to hear from you
Thank You for giving me a chance to talk a little about this
I left a reply and you sent me back to this CAPTCHA thing! By watching this program will it inform me as to why the Veterans Administration has not issued me an identification card since my enrollment on June 21 2012?
I would like to know why since ” Veterans Choice'” has changed to “Community Care” it has taken me 4 months to get a referral BACK to the same doctor who did my knee replacement. Referrals used to take about two weeks. I have been told 4 times after a on average 45 minute hold time that someone will call me. Still no call. I am very concerned that after Nancy Pelosi made a public statement that the veterans Choice program will hurt the VA hospitals and shouldn’t be funded that that’s the reason why no one is following up on referrals.I am having sever problems with my replacement and to get a appointment at the VA hospitals orthopedic clinic will take 3 months. Its no wonder 22 vets a day commit suicide because it seems no one cares. There is no sense of urgency. I went to the VA emergency room and the wait was over 12 hours. After a 4 hour wait, a nurse came in and said, “sorry, They put you in the wrong room so no one knew you were here” after another 8 hours, i was told I would have to go to the Ortho clinic. A 3 month wait.
Why does Lebanon VA not have new Shingles Vaccine available?
I sincerely believe that Pelosi and others like her are no friends of us vets. They were the ones who spit on us as we returned from war and aided and abetted our enemy in Viet Nam. She is pretending to be vet friendly because most Americans are at the moment.
i am a vietnam vet i have thyroid deseas and believe it was caused by agent orange i served with 7th eng. batallion in vietnam as a mechanic on construction of highway 1a outside danang in 1970 i worked on construction equip that was used to haul and compact dirt on road through jungle it was very plain to see the folage was killed to clear jungle for construction i wasnt aware that thyroid desease was caused by poisen that was sprayed to kill jungle until recently. also i have a daughter who has chrohns desease that i now hear is also related to the poisen where do i register for agent orange benifits please help
My husband served for over 21 years. He “applied” to the local VA Clinic to be seen to evaluate a few service connected issues. He was told he wasn’t eligible to be seen at the VA Clinic and would have to appeal. He has been trying to get a copy of his medical records for over a year now. Each place he requests them from refers him to another place or back to the place that referred him. Where are his records?
I want to thank both the VA and the DAV for all they do, and have done, for veterans. Both my brother (a Vietnam-era Air Force veteran) and I (a wounded Army Vietnam veteran) have benefitted greatly over the years from the conscientious service we have received. Through tough years, when an angry American citizenry seemed not to care whether veterans should receive support for their years of service and sacrifice, and through better times when the citizenry came to realize that the support of a grateful nation is something that should be done for those who served, the VA and the DAV have been there to help.
My thanks also to Secretary Wilkie and his staff for bringing this community town hall to the community of veterans.
Airborne, all the way.
Dr. Keita Franklin
Questions:
With the current statistics of opioid overdose in the US and the current statistics of Veterans that die from suicide at the rate of twenty two a day, does the VA or any agency keep statistic, data of how many veterans die from opioid overdose? Or from hunger? Or from guns? Or from freezing to death in the cold?
Do you know where that data is kept? How can it be assessed?
I have been trying for years to get 100% disabilty. I have 80% service connected disabilty everytime I tried to get a increase they ask for more evidence. In the last three years I found out I have a blood cancer that maybe service connected because as a mechanic I came in contact with all kinds of chemicals. Instead of filling out the paper work myself and finding evidence. I haired a Lawyer who is working on my behalf. I’m thankful for the VA and I deserve more from the VA.
In Feb-2017 I had a defibrillator replacement and got a frozen shoulder from the infection. When they process the 1151 C&P exam They included a FALSE MEDICAL RECORD saying that I had shoulder surgery 2 months before the defibrillator surgery and that was the reason for my frozen shoulder.
When I complained to the Chief of staff office they looked at it and amended the record so now it’s gone, but the false frozen shoulder surgery effected the claim and now it’s up to me to prove these false medical records.
How do you fight doctors who make up false medical records to hide their malpractice? Because I asked for help when the infection and pain was driving me crazy, the doctors decided to add false medical records.
This is a FEDERAL CRIME 18 U.S. code 1347 and 38 USC 24(b) when I tried to report this to the VA police at the VA hospital in Providence they told me it way my problem. Patient records are legal documents and judges and courts do not respond favorably to these accusations. When MEDICAL RECOrDS are fraudulently falsified, it’s usually in response to MEDICAL MALPRACTICE that the doctors are hiding.
I am trying to fight this but it’s impossible, how many other veterans have gotten the same FALSE MEDICAL RECORDS inserted into their files and now are dead because of black balling a patient in the VA is done to protect one another. We as veterans are left with few options to get simple JUSTICE and a FAIR hearing with these FALSE MEDICAL RECORDS.
I would love to hear Mr WILKIE address these FALSE MEDICAL RECORDS problem and who does a veteran ask for help.
When is VA going to publish their Navy Blue Water study, HR299 hangs in the balance now since 2017. I have a suggestion, stop the bs. We know these vets were exposed and so does the DOD. Stop balancing the budget on the backs of veterans!
I would like to see a policy change that would allow veterans the option of using local doctors, labs, etc., instead of the VA. The policy change should not be tied to VA approval of doctors, lab work, hospitalization, etc.
Why can’t vets have a dental plan ? And why does it have to be service related to get service. If one is a veteran those services should be provided even if one has to pay a copay
Something has to be done about the rampant abuse of veterans by the VA mental health .
I was diagnosed through testing with ADHD and prescibed the appropriate meds that worked, then a tribe of Obama appointees comes in and takes me off of the meds that work and tried to prescribe me a med that isn’t made for ADHD, when I refused to deal with their agenda, subsequently a four year pattern of abuse ensued by the VA mental health freaks. Its been four years, Im still not on the ADHD meds. Abuse of veterans that refuse the brain screw agenda is an ongoing problem created by VA mental health pseudoscientists hired by Obama and grossly neglected by current leadership.
Not all of us have mental health problems, nor are we suicidal in any way.
Labelling otherwise normal veterans with fake psychological maladies and pilling them up with meds that have potentially deadly side effects has become the norm modus operandi.
One cannot trust any profession that uses “subjective” as opposed to sound scientifically justified observational practices. Such subjective practices are pseudoscientific malpractice that doesn’t belong in the VA.
The VA mental health tribe violates the “do no harm” clause and rights of veterans supposedly bragged about by VA leadership
I give VA mental health no trust or credibility as a personal threat to my well being and that of my family.
Corrected post
The VA mental health practices should be sharply restricted, severly oversighted and the type and amount of meds used on veterans sharply restricted due to their exceedingly dangerous side effects.
Now I am considering restraining orders to protect myself and my family from the psychotic VA mental health criminals.
I’m looking for another country where I can thrive without such abusive treatment and live in peace with my family .
Despite my posting this I am convinced nothing positive or proactive will be done about this. Its been four years and nothing positive has occured yet.
I hope this meeting will be recorded so I can watch it as I am unable to attend on Thursday.
I want to thank the VA for the many years of mostly wonderful care. That being said, I have had to let the providers know my of my medical knowledge to ensure that the care I received was appropriate.
CALL THE WHITEHOUSE HOTLINE 1855-948-2311
I would have been battling the VA for 5 years trying to get 100% disability I have service-connected damaged both knees and left ankle left shoulder is torn rotary cup unrepairable and I keep getting told it would be three more years before a decision is made for my 80% disability to go to 100% disability so I can get the care that I need from the VA I don’t think the VA has the veterans in mine when they plan such disastrous things
Please bring up the fact that 1/3 recent Federal hires are veterans, as are many many defense contractors, and so we are disproportionately affected by the government shutdown. More broadly, will GI Bill payments or any other benefits be affected by an extended government shutdown? Are disabled an elderly veterans often relying on food stamps and other benefits which could be affected? Are there resources available to help? Thanks so much.
Can something be done about dental care without full disability or a substantial discount most veterans can’t afford dental thank you
HR-299 needs to move forward. My brother was aboard the USS Long Beach during a stay off the coast of Vietnam and has Parkinson’s. Fortunately, he has a great health care plan outside the VA. My stay off the coast was during the Evacuation in 1975. Prostate cancer was my “gift”. Again, I have good health care. This bill needs to move forward for those men and women who don’t have that coverage.
I spoke with a couple of USAF veterans who loaded aircraft with Agent Orange. They told me that they were not covered for some reason and suffer ill health.
If the US Government will not pay the full price of going to war, stop send other people’s children to war.
They can take the House and the Senate to Paris Island and send them to war.
Veterans need to ask questions directly , not questions from any type of board. That is why I will not register.
I want the VA to recognize blue water sailors who served in Vietnam during the “frequent wind” campaign as having been exposed to “agent orange” and therefore entitled to “presumptive” disability compensation for diabetes and other long term illnesses, related to that exposure. Operation “frequent wind” was the largest evacuation ever attempted using helicopters. Those helicopters came to our ships. How much “agent orange” dust came eith them? It is high time for consideration for these brave sailors. My ship was USS Blueridge, LCC 19. I was there as a second class PO when Saigon fell in 1975. I am a diabetic for over 40 years. I deserve compensation.
Will you answer the question about cancelling Medicare if I am happy with my VA service and availability?
where do I watch it
just called the White House VA Hotline:
Q: at the State of VA, will the Secretary be addressing the subject of our Atomic Veterans?
A: I don’t know.
Q: Has the Secretary stated a position with regard to the Atomic Veterans?
A: IDK
Q: Has the President stated a position with regard to the Atomic Veterans?
A: IDK
Q: Do you know what (group) I’m talking about when I say “Atomic Veterans”?
A: No.
please forward my request for answers to the 2nd and 3rd questions to the Secretary and the President.
Cheers, mm
I think the White House line just may be the wrong number to call for real information. As a rule I always start here:
1 (800) 827-1000
Because of your opposition the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Bill, H.R. 299 was not allowed the opportunity for quick passage in the United States Senate. When will the Veterans Affairs Committee finally admit that the Agent Orange Herbicide has caused numerous health and medical issues to those naval personnel serving on ships in the Tonkin Gulf.
At a 2017 reunion for the USS Higbee I was reacquainted with two of my closest shipmates, and later discovered that we all had advanced prostate cancer which resulted in removal of the prostate.
Action is needed as quickly as possible to help all Navy Veterans who are affected from Agent Orange exposure!
When will we Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans be able to receive benefits for medical issues related to Agent Orange? The VA has enough documentation at this time for this to happen. I believe that you folks prevented the Senate from approving H.R.299, which would have given us this benefit. What are you doing to get the ball rolling?
Why are Vets not able to have an evaluation form to rate all staff….
If you want the VA to be better then why has the Cincinnati VA Medical Center refused to read my medical records from Ft. Knox for over 11 years and refused to treat my injuries, I had to pay for my own leg surgeries from when I was injured overseas, Cincinnati said they didn’y care and that there was nothing I could do about it, I had them copy the MRI’s that I had to pay for and they said they refuse to read them and they would not treat me until someone told them too.
I will be working during the secretary’s speech but would like to ask someone why every time I use community care it takes forever to get authorization . I recently had to cancel a surgery because the authorization did not come in time . Thank GOD it was not life or death surgery. My primary Care Doctor at the VA authorized it but there is some one else that no one could speak to directly that had to authorize it and they dropped the ball and my surgery got delayed a month. Can someone answer this for me. Why doesn’t my doctor who works for the VA have the ability to authorize it alone? If a third party needs to get involved then they need to be able to be contacted by phone cause my Dr.s office emailed them multiple times with no response.
I no longer live in the great commonwealth of Virginia. I moved to Texas in 2006. My email address is correct for your use. But it would be a little difficult for me to make meeting in Virginia.
I wanted to know how they are going to address the issue of non responsive outside appointment requests? I.E. you get an outside appointment at that appointment it is determined that you need further care and need it authorized by Tri West. Tri West gets the request then ok’s the care, but it then needs to be ok’d by the VA again. Because the VA fails to respond the authorization then gets taken away because it was not re-verified in a timely manner. It would ( i think ) by all normal ways of thinking that if you were already sent outside the VA and it was approved, then a second request was approved by Tri-West that there should be no need for now another long and non responsive wait time from the VA. Care is of the utmost importance and should be when already verified and authorized by Tri West and the VA initially.
Regards Marion Sisson
I want yo know why people who srevied in the National Gaurd, did not sreve 180 day active duty are not allowed VA brnifits. I feel ever member who sreved and has a honorable discharge should have VA benifits.
I’M 100% I’M ON MEDICARE A&B PLUS SUPPLEMENT G INSURANCE WHICH I PREFER MY DOCTORS. WHY CAN’T GET MY MEDICATION FROM VA? THEY SAY I MUST GO THRU VA WHICH IS MILES & MILES AWAY, I WOULD THINK THAT THE CHOICE PROGRAM COULD HANDLE?
Don’t watch online put on TV or send letters.
What is it with the VA and the Choice Program? My previous primary care physician was Forced to retire (she was training for another bicycle marathon and was hit by a car). I Never had a problem with her. However, I had to choose another primary care Dr. I have had Nothing but problems with him ever since. First, He made the Hospital sign a Contract (where I get my PT/INR drawn) as to when and how often I can have my Lab Work done. Okay, they complied. Than he tried to get me to take a different type of Blood Thinner. When that didn’t work, he tried to change my dosage. When I called him about that, he said it was an oversight. Than he only sent 2 weeks worth of the medication. He said that was an oversight too. Than the next month came up. The same problem. Only 2 weeks worth of medication. Than he said to have my blood test again – 2 weeks before it was due. I quickly advised him that I didn’t have enough medication to last until than. So, I had my bloodwork done 2 weeks earlier than I should have run out. Then I made Another request for the same medication. Another week went by, and I talked with a pharmacist. He sent the Dr a message and got no reply. This was 8 days before Christmas. Four days after my bloodwork was done, it finally said it was ordered, although I haven’t gotten it in the mail. So I waited for the mail every day. Nothing. The 27th of December, after checking the mail, when I still haven’t received it I called the pharmacy. They said they could Overnight a partial supply. Keep in mind, this is a drug that keeps me Alive! Also, I live in Kansas. Why is that important? Because when they overnighted that prescription, it wound up in Kentucky! It only took about 4 hours on the phone before I FINALLY got it!
The care I got from this so-called provider was ridiculous and Life Threatening! Why??? Because I wanted to use the Choice Program to have my Bloodwork done!
I think, at the very least, this So Called provider should be Reprimanded! He is a provider for VISN 15, HAYS CBOC (Hays Kansas) and his Name is Harley Calvin.
Please be advised that this communication will be forwarded to Every Senator and Representative in Kansas!
I’m a Vet Nam veteran some of my doctors weren’t born when I served my country. I have many body bone issues that can not be repaired by the orthopedic department yet my PCP will not give me the medicine that I need for my pain. I have been going to the clinic since 2003. I have had about seven different Doctors some have quit because they are not allowed to provide the patient with the care they need because of the VA regulations so their hands are tied to only provide what the VA allows. All I am asking for is the quality of Life. If they would check my Labs the proof that I only take what my PCP prescriptions ordered. I’m call the hotline in Washington and the Crisis line to get help. I also wanted to speak with the VA hospital Director which by VA regulations but was told that he was a very busy person so I was unable to see anybody. This is the VA in San Antonio, Texas. I want some one to get me some Answers, and not the regular run around. Thank you for all your understanding.
We now have active duty personnel at Lovell FHCC and they are expected to wear their uniforms with pride and dignity – or else. I was raised to respect any uniform and the person wearing it especially when it came to protecting me and mine. It is a sad day when a military uniform is worn with pride and dignity and the VA Police Department’s uniform is worn, by some officers, with neither. Now maybe I’m just old school, but maybe the Chief of Police needs an attitude adjustment conversation. And interacting with the veteran a little wouldn’t hurt either. This is just one person’s opinion. Thanks for being there. You’re turely appreciated.
Why don’t all those department heads go help with the staff shortages in the specialized area instead of wasting time with a VTC.
Please tell me who to contact to get something added to the presumptive list. Psp is an agent orange related disease under th Parkinson’s umbrella.
All Veterans need dental care !
As a disabled vet the VA has done nothing to help me in the 15 years I have been out of the service. My service connected disabilities are getting worse after 15 years but the VA denied any increase in my disability. I believe the VA is just there to limit the governments liability not to help veterans.
Has any progress been made to provide VA benefits in regard to Agent Orange and herbicides. My husband is in a nursing home with dementia because of this and yet he cannot get benefits for it.
My name is petty officer Kenneth claybaugh US Navy retired I’ve been fighting with the VA for the past five years to get my disability rating increased to 100% I’m at 80% now and they’ve come up with so much bull that it’s not right somebody needs to look into Dublin and Macon in the whole state of Georgia’s VA system (redacted)
Can you please address the question of why do appeals take so long we’re talking more than 2 or 3 years
Help please?
Is there any one who can and will help my vet husband of 47 years?
All he needs and wants is an honest doctor that cares and that does not Falsify medical records and than comes up with exuberant reasons as to why he does what he does!
He threw my husband who was rolled in by a wheel chair by myself, his wife, out of the exam room without examining him.
Later that night, my husband was in critical care, NOT the V.A.,being given blood and than surgery for something that could have been prevented IF the doctor HAD examined my husband, has he said he did when he falsified the medical record of my husband.
HELP US PLEASE?
He has also been denied the right to have a different primary care doctor!
WE CANNOT TRUST THIS DOCTOR!
Please help so that he can have the right to the care of a primary doctor that WE can TRUST!
PLEASE?