Jun 03 How veterans see the wait time issue By Joshua Barajas Last week, the head of the Department of Veteran Affairs compared wait times to the wait for rides at a Disney theme park. Now veterans share their reactions to McDonald's comments and suggestions for improving care. Continue reading
May 24 VA chief: ‘I deeply regret’ wait-time comparison to Disney By Matthew Daly, Associated Press WASHINGTON — Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald said Tuesday he regrets remarks he made comparing long wait times at VA health care sites to waiting in line at a Disney amusement park. Continue reading
Jan 21 VA chief to Congress: You can’t fire your way to excellence By Matthew Daly, Associated Press WASHINGTON — Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald is pushing back against claims by members of Congress that the VA has not fired enough people to turn around the scandal-plagued agency. Continue reading
Nov 12 Obama awards Medal of Honor to retired Army captain By Kevin Freking, Associated Press WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama said Thursday that a young Army captain who is the newest Medal of Honor recipient had the instincts and the courage to tackle a suicide bomber in Afghanistan during a moment of selfless bravery, saving… Continue reading
Sep 30 3 things buried in the spending bill By Lisa Desjardins In nearly every “clean” temporary spending bill, especially in this era of permanently governing with temporary bills, there are at least a few changes attached. Continue reading
Aug 20 Most Americans want government to curb prescription costs, poll finds By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, Associated Press WASHINGTON — Regardless of political affiliation, Americans strongly support government action to control prescription drug costs, according to a poll released Thursday. Continue reading
Aug 10 VA should fire bad workers faster, House veterans chairman says By Associated Press DENVER — The chairman of the House Veterans Committee says the troubled Veterans Affairs Department should fire problem employees faster and that Congress should make it easier for the entire government to dismiss bad workers. Continue reading
May 22 VA must find millions to finish troubled Denver hospital By Dan Elliott, Associated Press DENVER — Construction crews are returning to work at the veterans hospital outside Denver after a last-minute deal with congressional leaders avoided a shutdown of the half-finished project. Continue reading
May 14 VA wastes $5 billion a year in improper purchases By Matthew Daly, Associated Press WASHINGTON — A senior official at the Department of Veterans Affairs says the agency is improperly spending at least $5 billion a year for medical care and supplies that are being purchased outside of required practices for competitive bidding and… Continue reading
Apr 30 House panel expands probe into how Veterans Affairs handled disability and pension claims By Hope Yen, Associated Press A House committee voted Thursday to issue a subpoena of the Department of Veterans Affairs for personnel and complaint files at its Philadelphia office, part of an expanding probe into mishandling of veterans' disability and pensions claims. Continue reading