Obama: 'I Will Not Stand For' Misconduct At Veterans Affairs Hospitals

[California McKay]

http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/21/politics/va-waiting-lists/index.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/21/obama-veterans-affairs_n_5...

CNN Headline :

"He promised accountability and swift action, but he's not firing Veteran Affairs Secretary Eris Shinseki - yet."

CNN made this statement after a month long wait and no action to the allegations reported to President Obama on the misconduct and mishandling a VA Hospital's fraudulent record-keeping that covered up several excessive waiting times for Veterans in some VA Hospital facilities.

Twenty-six additional VA Hospitals have been added to the investigation, the focus of the first site was Phoenix.

I wonder if citizens just accept, like I did, that because the VA Hospital is a benefit, that the wait time is permissible?

I remember taking my father to the VA hospital when he was sick.  It was an all day affair! I have experienced this in 4 different states.  California, where my father had his first bout of Congestive Heart Failure.  In Colorado, when he was visiting my brother for a few months.  In Oklahoma, where I lived and he came to live with me so I could care for him, and here in Texas. It has been over 10 years since my father has gone to heaven, but I can still recall sitting there all day for one morning appointment!  My Dad was sick and weak and it was hard for him to sit long, so I would have to bring several pillows and blankets, I would find a couch and make him as comfortable as I could, while we waited, and waited and waited to be called. 

[Rose Escobedo]

I love this quote from our first president:

"The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive veterans of early wars were treated and appreciated by our nation." -- President George Washington

It is very important for our nation to do right-by our veterans, there is no doubt in my mind that they deserve the very best treatment and support our country can offer. Their medical expenses should be automatically covered by our nation for the service and commitment to our country. The Bible says we are to give honor to whom honor is due - Romans 13:7.

I propose we treat our veterans with respect and honor by offering the best services available for their needs. I think there are plenty of private companies who have worked hard at making customer service their most prized asset. Therefore the Government should hand over the job of treating our most honored citizens with dignity and honor, to allow the experience of customer satisfaction to be shown upon our veterans. So that the private company can handle and direct our veterans to the best treatment and or opportunities available for their needs.

[Joseph Nyetmor]

I love the response of the President concerning the allegation of the people against the Veteran Affairs Secretary Eris Shinseki. I think the president has the power to fire him but he's has to use the powers wisely. He has to have enough evidence on the matter before total action can be taken. The veterans are the people who have given their lives at some point for the country and deserve proper care.
Firing Shinseki right now does not means fixing the problem but rather jeopardize the whole issue. The me they need to pressurize him to do the right thing for some time and then he can be fire and held accountable for the death of these veterans if at the end of the day the allegation are correct against Shinseki.

[Justin Blair]

This is a hot button issue for me. I am a Veteran who utilizes the VA health care system. Four and Half weeks ago I tore my ACL. I went to the VA hospital in Dallas and was seen and released within two hours. I went to the Fort Worth out patient clinic and was seen as a Walk in in about three hours. I left that day asking what is all the fuss. I received a consult to see Ortho and have a MRI scheduled. It has been 4 and Half weeks and I still haven't gotten an appointment. I understand the frustrations. I called a private surgeon today and will be seen next Tuesday and potentially have surgery by the end of the week. I don't have a life threatening condition so my frustration isn't met with much merit other than I want my knee fixed. There are other Veterans who are far worse than me. I don't think ousting the guy at the top will do much. I think that is just the "fall" guy. The issue at hand is weather or not the system in place is the best way to handle the load. Its obvious the President doesn't have the best record on starting up a health care plan so maybe trying to fix one might fit his capabilities. 

[Lau McKinley]

I don't understand why Veterans are so terribly mistreated. When they are in the service, they are glorified by the government and are backed in every way possible to be at their best and fully equipped to serve and protect our country, but the second they get out and become veterans, they are thrown to the side just like any other ordinary citizen who did not serve. They sacrificed so much for us, and although I have not served, some of my best and closest friends have and they have shared their experiences and difficulties with me, and we have no idea what they must go through to transition back to a civilian life, and it's even more difficult with injuries that can have life-long implications. Our President makes claims that calm the hearts and minds of those listening for the moment, but does not follow through. Vets should be treated like royalty. They provided for us, the government simply gave the orders. 

[Kirby Taylor]

I had no idea that this was an issue that was going on today. This is another example when the government has a good idea to help the people but doesn't put in the effort to follow to make sure that the job is completely finished. It's all a front to make people like certain politicians and then forget about it because the majority of the country doesn't have to run into these situations. The hospitals are probably understaffed because the government doesn't want to belly up the funds to actually make this aid to our veterans a reality. It seems that it has almost given our veterans a disservice because the wait probably wouldn't have been as long at a regular hospital but the since the government stuck there head in it veterans are forced to go to cruddier hospitals because it's cheaper for them.