Feb 24 In Veterans Courts, prosecutors become social workers for the accused By Spencer Michels Since the main job of district attorneys is to indict and prosecute criminals, you might find it odd that many of those prosecutors are whole-hearted supporters of a system that acts to treat — not to punish — the problems… Continue reading
Feb 24 VA secretary apologizes for misstating military record By News Desk Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald has apologized for saying he was in the military special forces while being filmed by a CBS News crew. Continue reading
Nov 10 VA announces 'MyVA' plan, largest reorganization in department's history By Matthew Daly, Associated Press On the eve of Veterans Day, the Veterans Affairs Department announced a reorganization Monday designed to make it easier for veterans to gain access to the sprawling department and its maze-like websites. Continue reading
Nov 07 Watch News Wrap: VA secretary to announce department shake-up By PBS News Hour In our news wrap Friday, the Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald will announce a major department overhaul, including dismissal or demotion of up to 1,000 staff members, in response to the scandal over long response times. Also, President Obama authorized… Continue watching
Nov 07 Veterans Affairs taking 'aggressive' disciplinary action against more than 1,000 employees By Matthew Daly, Associated Press In an interview with CBS News' "60 Minutes," McDonald said the VA is taking "aggressive, expeditious disciplinary action, consistent with the law" against more than 1,000 of its 315,000 employees. Continue reading
Oct 01 Military health care system 'average,' Hagel says By Deb Riechmann, Associated Press WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Wednesday directed military medical officials to show within 45 days how they will improve care, patient safety and access to treatment at underachieving military health care facilities. Continue reading
Sep 29 VA settles complaints of three Phoenix whistleblowers By Matthew Daly, Associated Press The Veterans Affairs Department said Monday it has settled complaints filed by three employees who faced retaliation after filing whistleblower complaints about the troubled Phoenix VA hospital. Continue reading
Sep 17 Ex-VA doctor says the Phoenix Veterans hospital report 'minimizes the scandal' By Matthew Daly, Associated Press Dr. Samuel Foote, a former clinic director for the VA in Phoenix, said a report by the department's inspector general appears designed to "minimize the scandal and protect its perpetrators rather than to provide the truth."… Continue reading
Sep 09 Watchdog: VA managers lied about delays By Matthew Daly, Associated Press WASHINGTON -- Managers at more than a dozen Veterans Affairs medical facilities lied to investigators about scheduling practices and other issues, the department's inspector general said Tuesday. Continue reading
Aug 26 Obama unveils plans to improve mental health care for veterans By Jim Kuhnhenn, Associated Press His standing with veterans damaged by scandal, President Barack Obama on Tuesday defended his administration's response to Veterans Affairs lapses that delayed health care for thousands of former service members, but conceded more needed to be done to regain their… Continue reading