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June 2014

VA Secrets

June 27, 2014

June 25, 2014 by Chris Porter

I’ve worked at a few VA medical centers, including four years at the Phoenix VA. I’d like to report something missed in the media storm. Before spilling secrets, though, I’ll dispense with the non-secrets. Everyone who has entered a VA hospital knows:

Researchers try to verify whether canines help patients with TBI, PTSD

June 27, 2014

By Patricia Kime
Military Times Staff writer
Jun. 26, 2014 - 05:55PM

For dog lovers, it’s an absolute: The unconditional love of a canine companion heals the soul, reaching into the heart to cross canyons of loneliness and despair.

Military researchers now are trying to learn if there’s real science behind that semimystical link — and if so, whether it can help treat the signature wounds of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

Quick passage of VA reform bill in doubt

June 26, 2014

By Leo Shane III
Military Times Staff writer
Jun. 25, 2014 - 10:53 AM

Lawmakers are moving as fast as they can to pass a new Veterans Affairs reform bill. Unfortunately for supporters, that doesn’t guarantee it’ll be finished soon.

Introducing the Lincoln: An award for veterans

June 19, 2014

Gregg Zoroya
USA TODAY
12:47 p.m. EDT June 18, 2014

Actors have Oscars. Live theater, the Tony Awards. Journalists receive Pulitzers and scientists Nobel Prizes.

Now there is the Lincoln — for veterans.

The idea is to recognize exemplary service by and for veterans. The award is the brain child of an ex-Green Beret and former assistant secretary with the Department of Veterans Affairs, Tommy Sowers, in cooperation with the Friars Club and Friars Foundation.

Acting Secretary Gibson Initiates Monthly Site Inspections Across Veterans Health Facilities to Restore Integrity to Scheduling Process

June 18, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                

June 18, 2014          

WASHINGTON – Acting Secretary of Veterans Affairs Sloan D. Gibson today directed all Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Medical Center and Health Care System Directors to conduct monthly in-person reviews of scheduling practices in every clinic within their jurisdiction.  Site inspections will include observing daily scheduling processes and interacting with scheduling staff to ensure all policies are being followed to deliver Veterans the timely care they have earned.

Congress May Be Done Fixing the VA for the Year

June 13, 2014

Stacy Kaper
National Journal
June 12, 2014

The Senate’s passage Wednesday of legislation intended to stop veterans from dying waiting for health care is likely to be Congress’s last major reform bill for the year to address failings in veterans’ services or clean up the embattled Veterans Affairs Department.

Veterans Affairs issued 'gag order' and engaged in criminal cover-ups, lawmakers say

June 12, 2014

BY MARK FLATTEN | JUNE 11, 2014 | 6:20 PM
Washington Examiner

A Department of Veterans Affairs memo that prohibits top administrators from answering questions from members of Congress, the media or veterans' groups is being called a “gag order” meant to cover up agency wrongdoing by a Kansas congressman.

SecDef Hagel Defends Guard Cuts To Governors

June 12, 2014

By 
Breaking Defense
June 11, 2014 at 11:48 AM

House votes to expand veterans' eligibility for food stamps

June 12, 2014

By Cristina Marcos
The Hill
June 11, 2014, 06:14 pm

The House on Wednesday adopted an amendment from Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.) to allow veterans to apply for food stamps while their disability claims are pending with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Senate passes bill allowing some vets to seek private care

June 12, 2014

By Leo Shane III 
Military Times Staff writer
Jun. 11, 2014 - 06:00AM

The Senate overwhelmingly passed emergency legislation on Veterans Affairs Department health visits and administrator accountability Wednesday, paving the way for the reforms to become law in a matter of days.

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