Jun 08 House to act on VA accountability; Democrats wary on private care By Hope Yen, Associated Press WASHINGTON — The House will vote next week on Senate-passed legislation to make firing employees easier for the troubled Department of Veterans Affairs, as the department sought to speed forward on initiatives urged by President Donald Trump to expand private… Continue reading
Jun 06 Senate approves bill to make firing Veterans Affairs employees easier By Hope Yen, Associated Press The bipartisan measure passed by voice vote. It comes more than three years after a 2014 scandal at the Phoenix VA medical center, where some veterans died while waiting months for appointments. Continue reading
May 30 WATCH: Veterans Affairs Secretary Shulkin says there’s ‘a lot of work to do’ to fix the system By Hope Yen, Darlene Superville, Associated Press Shulkin is expected to begin speaking at 11:30 a.m. EST. Watch live here. Continue reading
May 29 AP Report: Feds investigate dozens of new cases of possible drug theft from Veterans Affairs hospitals By Hope Yen, Associated Press Data obtained by The Associated Press show 36 criminal investigations opened by the VA inspector general's office from Oct. 1 through May 19. Continue reading
May 11 Lawmakers reach agreement on stalled Veterans Affairs accountability bill By Hope Yen, Associated Press The deal announced early Thursday could smooth the way for final passage on an issue that had been largely stalled since the 2014 wait-time scandal at the Phoenix VA medical center. Continue reading
May 03 Shulkin says he’s considering closing 1,100 Veterans Affairs facilities By Hope Yen, Associated Press Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin says his department is seeking to close perhaps more than 1,100 VA facilities nationwide as it develops plans to allow more veterans to receive medical care in the private sector. Continue reading
Apr 27 WATCH: Trump signs order creating accountability office at VA By Darlene Superville and Hope Yen, Associated Press President Donald Trump, who made improving veterans' care a prominent issue as he campaigned for office, was to issue the order while visiting the VA. Continue reading
Apr 18 Veterans Affairs launches pilot program with CVS to reduce wait times for veteran care By Hope Yen, Associated Press Some ailing veterans can now use their federal health care benefits at CVS "MinuteClinics" to treat minor illnesses and injuries, under a pilot program announced Tuesday by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Continue reading
Apr 14 Can President Trump keep his promises to veterans? By Gretchen Frazee As a candidate, Donald Trump made veterans services a top issue. Now, nearly three months into his administration, Mr. Trump is facing a number of barriers to achieving one of his main promises on the campaign trail. Continue reading
Apr 13 WATCH: VA Secretary Shulkin addresses report that VA hospital in D.C. puts patients at ‘unnecessary risk’ By Joshua Barajas A Veterans Affairs hospital in Washington, D.C., was flagged by inspectors in a report released on Wednesday for its mismanagement of medical equipment, supplies and staffing. Continue reading