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August 2014

New rules issued for firing VA executives

August 20, 2014

By Leo Shane III
Military Times Staff writer
Aug. 19, 2014 - 03:04PM

Federal regulators on Tuesday outlined interim rules for streamlined firing of Veterans Affairs Department senior executives, a new authority backed by Congress in an effort to clean up cultural problems at the embattled department.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Shuts Down USA Discounters’ Servicemember Fee Scam

August 14, 2014
Company Ordered to Refund $350,000 to Servicemembers Tricked into Paying Fees for Benefits Available for Free
 

Vets awaiting primary care at VA can now seek private physician

August 14, 2014

By Patricia Kime
Military Times Staff writer
Aug. 13, 2014 - 05:51PM

Veterans waiting for a primary care appointment at a VA medical facility may now be able to get one at a private physician under a program that allows veterans to seek medical treatment outside the Veterans Affairs Department.

VA announced Wednesday that primary care has been added to its Patient-Centered Community Care, or PC3, program.

VA takes big strides in treating military sex trauma victims

August 13, 2014

By Carolyn Freundlich
Medill News Service
Aug. 12, 2014 - 01:42PM

It was in 1990 that 22-year-old Melissa Davis went to the Veterans Affairs Department office in Houston to seek treatment for depression.

Davis, a former Army specialist, joined the military at age 17. She says she was raped more than once by a superior officer at her first base. She didn’t report the assaults but told her husband, who urged her to keep quiet to avoid retaliation.

VA Fights Against Veteran Identity Theft

August 6, 2014

VA launches new identity theft website and toll-free help line

August 5, 2014

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today announced that it has launched a new campaign to educate Veterans about identity theft prevention. The new campaign, titled More Than a Number, references the personally identifiable information that VA encourages Veterans to protect.

Pro-Troop Charity Misleads Donors While Lining Political Consultants’ Pockets

August 6, 2014

Move America Forward has collected millions to send care packages to U.S. troops. But its appeals often rely on images and stories borrowed without permission, and its assets have been used to benefit political consulting firms and PACs.

by Kim Barker
ProPublica, Aug. 5, 2014, 5:45 a.m.

How 'Choice Card' and $15B will help veterans get care

August 1, 2014

By Tom Philpott
Special to Stars and Stripes
Published: July 31, 2014 

Note: In addition to the $15 billion, the Congressional Budget Office reported Thursday a measure in the bill calling for leases on 27 new medical centers in 15 states and Puerto Rico would cost about $1.27 billion.

Veterans reading only headlines, hearing only sound bites, might have a few misconceptions about how Congress and the VA plan to use non-VA healthcare providers to ensure more timely and convenient access to care.

$16.3B VA reform bill passes Senate 91-3; Obama expected to sign

August 1, 2014

By Leo Shane III
Staff writer
Jul. 31, 2014 - 09:08 PM

The Senate overwhelmingly gave final approval to a $16.3 billion Veterans Affairs reform bill on Thursday night, sending the measure to the White House and giving Congress a legislative victory before the start of its summer break.