Well I hope they were honest when they said they are not worried about the bottom employees. I find the ones at my clinic to be nothing less than exceptional in both their jobs and general people skills.

Sometimes things take a long time when it comes to the VA because of crazy red tape and restrictions, and sadly if you are dealing with them then you already know what that is like.

It is good they are angry about wasteful spending on hand lotions/pens and crap like that, but I am concerned what other services they will consider wasteful...

Being a Veteran myself, I have to say the personnel who take care of us are very good and I'm quite satisfied which my care.

That said, I would love the top brass to get their bell rung by the Congress for their obvious waste of taxpayers money on these elaborate conferences (read that a fully paid vacation) while the new vets wait on horribly long waiting lists to get what they so richly deserve. They served their country and these @!$%#s at the top are too busy partying to bother with them.

May top brass heads roll please! It is time someone was actually made an example of and this is a good place to start.

Time to "clean out the swamp".

Sends these folks packing and see how they like being unemployed, or better yet, have them "enlist" into the military. I could get DOD permission to go back on active duty for a day to swear them into their service of choice, but I would reserve the right to select their first overseas assignment.

The VA is like the rest of the government agencies a joke. It's who you know as to what help you get, or benefits , not what you deserve or need. More of the capitalistic way. The VA sucks.

If you appreciate how well the Federal Government handles their stewardship responsibilities regarding the VA, just wait until Obamacare is fully implemented.

You have been warned....

if you can't afford to take care of the Veterans, then don't start wars.

Like people in the House and Senate do not pull the same stuff. Give me a break! The idiots in charge of the VA just did not cover their tracks like the politicians do! I am a vet myself and have been fighting the VA for years over service connected disability.

Well SPOT, you just confirmed that you know nothing about the VA and how it really works.

Must have tried to get disability and they turned you down.

When you have something factual to say, come on back. In the mean time, go find some political story you can espouse on and leave the veterans alone. They deserve better.

Like all government employees including elected employees, they think they were elected God and can do anything they want.

BB427 says

If you appreciate how well the Federal Government handles their stewardship responsibilities regarding the VA, just wait until Obamacare is fully implemented.

Obamacare leaves the private insurance industry in completely priviate operational capacity. If Obamacare fails, then it is a serious indictment against private health care. If private insurance companies cannot make a go of it with Obamacare providing them with 30 million new clients, then it's sure proof that we need socialized medicine - also known as Medicare for all.

Ask how many seniors are ready to give up their Medicare. The only complaints I've heard are those seniors supporting Romney who don't want the government messin' with their Medicare.

Here's the dilemma: the VA, like most government agencies, is managed and run by people who are not elected, but who are appointed by other members of government. The Director of Veterans Affairs is a Cabinet post. In this case, the current head of Veterans Affairs was nominated by his predecessor and unanimously approved by the US Senate in January 2009 under the Obama Administration.

It is the US House of Representatives that is currently exercising their authority to investigate the lack of accountability of the VA for their wasteful spending and profligate waste of taxpayer dollars.

As has been stated, there are many fine people working within the VA. It is the agency's management and leadership whose judgement and suitability for the job are in question. The culture of waste, abuse, fraud, and lack of responsibility should shock both taxpayers and the very heros who depend on the VA for necessary services.

Those who demonize business and capitalism have missed the point entirely...government has grown to such an extent that there appears to be no accountability anymore, only finger-pointing and partisan bickering. Those who escalate government control over more and more of our lives in the name of good intentions have created a behemoth that is beyond your control. They don't work for you anymore.

Sorry, but you can't "fire" the head of the VA or his cronies. Sure, Republicans can try to "de-fund" the VA to reduce the waste, but it's political suicide...pontificating Democrats will accuse them of "stealing" from our veterans instead of addressing the real problem. Why don't you voters support the kind of watchdogs who will take on these tough issues instead of toeing the party propaganda line?

Folks, what we are seeing here is a mere peek through the window on what Obamacare will be like if it becomes fully implemented. Too many drones in our society believe the government can and will take care of everything, from cradle to grave. Sorry, but I stopped believing that $%@#%^ long ago, and the current situation at the VA is just one more example why.

I think that they should be forced to provide a written justification for every conference they hold and the reason for each employee that attends. Too often these conferences become nothing more than paid vacations that are handed out like perks to favored employees. They often serve little to no purpose with regards to the people attending being able to do their jobs or enhancing their job skills. The people attending these conferences spend more time by the pool/at the beach or out partying somewhere then they do at any official conference functions. There should also be a requirement to justify why the goals of the conference could not be accomplished by other means, like videoconferencing, on-line training sessions, etc. There also should be more attention paid to a justification for the location of the conference. Why does the conference have to be held in Orlando or Las Vegas or Hawaii instead of somewhere less expensive like Kansas. Also, the government has many conference facilities or other facilities that could easily be used for a conference instead of having these conferences in luxury hotels in resort cities. But then if they did not hold the conferences in nice locations no one would want to go, because after all these conferences are pretty much just paid vacations for government employees on the taxpayer's dime. Hell, many even take their wives/significant others along with them. After all, the government is already picking up the tab for the hotel. This means the only additional expenses are the plane ticket, which many are getting with the frequent flier miles they accrued on government travel to start with, and the extra food costs (although with the per diem you get most of this is covered a well if you eat in moderately priced places).

When I worked for private companies I had to justify the expense every time I wanted to attend any kind of conference. There needed to be a specific stated purpose in attending the event and what return the company could expect from my participation. It had to be something concrete, not nebulous statements like enhancing job skills or making new business contacts. While those were obviously part of it, there needed to be something more tangible and if those new business contacts did not turn into dollars coming in from new business then future attendance would be cut off. In other words, you were going to these conferences to actually work, not sit by the pool and party. The government needs to take a similar approach to their conferences. Also, things like actually attending the conference sessions should be made mandatory. Too many of these government conferences are nothing more than a waste of taxpayer money that serve no valid business purpose.

That's the problem. They are not embarrassed at all. These people feel they are entitled.

What type of conference, exactly, does the VA need to spend $100k or more on? Really? Spend the money on caring for our vets, more personnel and/or maintenance of VA facilities. These "conferences" are nothing more than excuses to pat each other on the back.

Jack says,

Like all government employees including elected employees, they think they were elected God and can do anything they want.

Yeah right! FBI agents, CIA agents, the doctors at the Center for Disease Control, policemen, food inspectors, air traffic controllers, fireman, forest rangers, IRS accountants, snow plow drivers - all these people are priviledged deadbeats compared to those paragons modesty who created credit default swaps that broke AGI, or those poor underpaid minions of the sports world.

I've worked for big private industry and I've worked for big government. There are wise men and women, and there are deadbeats in both. As I told my re-up counseler, the biggest difference is that in private industry they fire you for messing up, but in government they can put you in jail.

Next time you're in a storm like Sandy, if your private real estate agent has not provided you with the latest information on when and where you should evacuate, maybe you can call your local insurance adjuster to rescue you from the raging waters.

Green,

I thing you got it backward. Bernie Madoff is in a prison cell for defrauding clients through a Ponzi scheme. How many politicians are being imprisoned for putting social security and public pension money into general funds, then spending it?

the VA first reported the price of those events was $20 million but later amended that figure to more than $100 million. At Wednesday’s hearing, VA Chief Financial Officer Todd Grams testified that the events cost, in total, $86.5 million.

I choked on french fries while reading the above. How can a govt department spend $86 million on conferences in one year! And why would they? Whatever happened to shared sacrifice, the fiscal cliff? I see this kind of outrageous overspending as CRIMINAL!

We have vets who are committing suicide, who need care. This money should be helping those who risked their lives for their country. Not only are there CRIMINALS at work here, but also PEOPLE WHO SHOULD BE FIRED INSTANTLY.

JD in SD says,

When I worked for private companies I had to justify the expense every time I wanted to attend any kind of conference. There needed to be a specific stated purpose in attending the event and what return the company could expect from my participation. It had to be something concrete, not nebulous statements like enhancing job skills or making new business contacts.

You make a business conference as pure as the driven snow, as I'm sure a few actually were. But, c'mon, conventions are opportunites to see another city and have a good time doing it. They are what make it more fun to work in private industry than in gov't.

A loud rauncous convention by gov't employees is news (like man bites dog), riling up the hackles of Congressmen trying to deflect embarassing questions about their lack of action on restoring economic freedom to America. Noisey, drunken conventions by private industry are about as newsworthy as someone getting wet in a swimming pool.

Put it to the voters: how many of you will authorize $100M of your tax dollars annually for VA "conferences" as we approach the fiscal cliff?

Hey, they can conference this!

I've been to conferences on top of conferences...but $100 Million worth? Don't these people write budgets? Who's the dodo who approved $100 million for partying.

Spot & Okeeboy I have never had to get help from the VA, so I can NOT say much about it, except that my father in law has been on VA disability ever since I met him 28-29 years ago, that being said he did NOT get injured in the service, but he did do his stint, he has a drinking problem he is a drunk he can NOT hold a job as he has never looked for one in over 25 years, then the VA was giving him Vicodin 180 pills for a month, that is 6 pills a day, he has been getting different surgeries as that way he can keep getting the disability, the drugs and the beer he drinks every day.

Sure they will help those that BITCH the most and that causes the BIGGEST scene, they need to take care of those that need the help the most.

By the way my father in law moved out of a rental of mine that I rented cheap to him 425/MO, he moved almost 2 years ago and has not called his daughter to say happy birthday, merry christmas, NOTHING he is a worthless man, this is after we went to GA to pick him up when he said his back went out.

Fuzzy answers and frivolous out-of-control spending? This is the culture of our Military brass, Haliburton, GE, General Dynamics (Ike's MIC) and our legislators. The hands-on people do wonders for the veterans, given the conditions they work under.

These committee members pointing a finger should notice the four pointing back at them.

Steve-1962 No matter what government system dispenses $$$, there are people who cheat and do not deserve the income.

It is a good thing that the U.S. Congress is keeping a watchful eye on the VA.

HOWEVER, the same scrutiny should apply to every government program that dispenses money.

I am a disabled veteran and I appreciate the compensation and services offered to me. Due to my disability rating, the VA would take care of 100% of my medical needs. However, I only go to VA medical services for "service-connected" issues, and then, as rearely as possible. Instead, I use private health insurance for every day needs, fully realizing there are newer veterans who have more urgent need for care than I do.

I know several people who work for the VA. None of them are veterans. However, all of them are good, hardworking, people who genuinely care about providing top quality care to veterans.

General Shinsecki was appointed to head the VA due to his management abilities. Prior to his appointment, it took 10 to 15 years for things to get out of whack at the VA, but there is no instant fix. I predict that within the next year there will be dramatic changes in how the VA does business.

This article details one kind of spending waste at one govt agency over one year. The VA spent too much on conferences. What else do you think the VA wastes money on? And never mind them, what about all the other govt agencies? Do you think they're any better?

This is why, rightly or wrongly, the GOP says we need to cut spending before we raise revenue. I think we need to do both, but when you read articles like this, you have to wonder how many of our fiscal problems could be solved if we cut out all this waste.

At Wednesday’s hearing, VA Chief Financial Officer Todd Grams testified that the events cost, in total, $86.5 million.

The VA isn't in the business of selling or have the need to promote its business, so why the need for exorbitant "events"?

These committee members pointing a finger should notice the four pointing back at them.

Yes, we have the pot calling the kettle black.

And the Obama administration wants more revenue (taxes). I don't care who it is coming from, the top 10% or every person in the country. You want to pay more taxes so these @!$%#s can continue to piss away more of your money. You have to be a complete idiot if you think taxes are the problem. SPENDING is the problem. This is just one piece of he puzzle, the GSA is another. How many government organizations do you think are doing this, with your money? If you think it is limited to just a few you are mistaken. Mark my words, it is just a matter of time before another government agency gets caught doing the same @!$%#. These guys couldn't give a rat's ass about whose money they spend as long as they benefit and it doesn't come directly out of heir pocket.

Nine million could go along way in helping our military folks who have suffered injuries in a war our government sent them to. Instead these @!$%#s are having the time of their life. Is it really a wonder why people don't trust our leaders, don't want to pay another dime in taxes and bitch about how our tax dollars are spent. I am fed-up and sick of this behavior. Both Dems and Republicans should be outraged and demand some accountability before even thinking about raising taxes. The whole damn government is incompetent and we keep reelecting these flows. I guess we have exactly what we deserve, how pathetic!

Wow....those republicons....I wish they had this same conviction about money when skids of 100's of millions of dollars disappeared in Iraq under the Bush administration. Republicon Sen Norm Coleman was in charge of the committee to investigate 100's of millions of dollars that disappeared....not one investigation.....but he sure enjoyed taking junkets all over the world. That's why Normy was really dumped in Mn.....he investigated nothing.....

Waste in V.A. ? Sure go for it, then investigate Norm Coleman and repubs for letting millions disappear in Iraq!

All these Republicans are kicking ass and taking names. Because...they're up for re-election in 2014, and they saw their party suffer losses in the last election. After November 6th, 2014, their concern will disappear.

Maybe they should start with the lack of concern and lack of appropriate medical experience of the caregivers who are being hired on a part time basis just so the states don't have to pay for benefits. This comment is in relation to the state run veterans homes. For instance, here at the Iowa Veterans Home, the management is under sanctions to provide proper training for the part-time community college students who they hired to replace the staff who were forced into early retirement. Until the level of care improves we (the home) are no longer authorized to receive Medicare and Medicaid payments for the residents care. This means we are getting shorted on the funds needed to provide quality care. Sounds just like the typical government red tape bull$hit. Mean while we (the veterans) are still getting fu@ked. Merry Christmas to us every one.

Who can take congress serious when they are the biggest ABUSERS our our money.

My only experience with the VA was after I retired and they had to evaluate some injuries sustained during my 27 years of service. Everyone was very professional and precise and at the end of evaluation I got a 10% noncombustible disability rating. In other words...nothing.

I still limp now and then from a knee injury. My back pain is getting much worse with the arthritis. My ears pop regularly and I can't do scuba because of the pressure pain at fifteen feet(from years of flying). I guess I should have gamed the system for more disability like others have done.

But the guys I really feel bad for are the ones returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. They have gotten worse injuries in greater proportions than we got in Southeast Asia. The Army, Marines AND the VA are totally dropping the ball on these folks...and that is not just a shame...it's a travesty...

Fire 'em...after they do a front line tour and ride a couple of convoy patrols. Maybe then they will get a clue as to what the vets have put up with! Might just help the service they provide to the vets.

I'm a physician in the VA and I can attest to the ridiculous waste that occurs daily!

You taxpayers spend in excess of 400K a year in salary & benefits for each of my colleagues and yet some of them don't do anything to earn it. Everyday, I come into work and see these lazy leeches and I want to puke.

Well said starsailing (#1.28):

The hypocrisy is so rampant in politics that it is at epidemic levels in Washington. The dialogue of being so shocked over overspending reminds of the following scene from 'Casablanca':

Rick: How can you close me up? On what grounds?

Louis: I am shocked, shocked, to find gambling going on in this establishment!

Emile: Your winnings, sir.

Louis: [Sotto voce, to Emile] Thank you. Thank you very much. [Shouting, to casino patrons] Everybody out!

Does anyone recall the story of the missing cash in Iraq ?

In 2004, the Bush administration flew twenty billion dollars of shrink-wrapped cash into Iraq on pallets. Now the bulk of that money has disappeared. The funds flown into the war zone were made up of surplus from the UN's oil-for-food program, as well as money from sales of Iraqi oil and seized Iraqi assets. Recent estimates had the amount of missing money at about $6.6 billion, but according to Al Jazeera, Iraqi Parliament Speaker Osama al-Nujaifi says the figure is closer to three times that amount.

It's so nice that the fiscal responsibility of the Grand Old Party is such a high priority for them. Whatever party of indigent righteousness............

It comes as little surprise to this Veteran that Govco. suits are absolutely clueless about the state of Our Nation when it comes to spending resources diminished from the worst economic downturn of our lives.

I'm in a battle with the VA over a little bit of money but a huge principal. As an Iraq War Veteran I am supposed to have full coverage, INCLUDING MEDICATION, for five years from my 2009 Honorable separation, yet these turkeys had the balls to have the IRS deduct the cost of post surgery medication from my 2010 Federal Tax return. This story explains a lot in my mind. These chumps were living high on the hog while I was recovering from injuries from combat service and in their quest to recover every possible penny expended for (EARNED) services rendered had Big Brother take money they weren't owed from the first pittance I earned after a year of injury recovery and unemployment.

I fully support Congressional Oversight of the VA, in these hard times they need to concentrate on healing the many broken warriors who have returned from over a decade of war, not enjoy unearned "perks" for their Govco. Service.

What most of you likely don't know is the backstory, the under-the-radar reality that explains why government agencies like the VA are so infested with unprincipled maggots.

From firsthand experience I know that the VA sees its mission as being a call to advance the homosexual agenda. When I was privileged to observe there several years ago the staff spent as much time showing "training films" badgering everyone with the message that "gay" was okay, and following these things up with "counseling" to make sure everyone was getting their message. I still recall one staffer that came almost completely unglued at a "counseling session" railing and screeching at length about people who dared to tell others what was right and wrong until even her associates were wide-eyed at how completely hysterical she had become. God forbid she hear someone use the word "sin." And yet this telling others "what was right and wrong" was the sole purpose to which these staffers apparently felt themselves committed--except that their notion of "right" was my understanding of wrong, and vice-versa.

The place is crawling with the politically correct and morally corrupt vanguard of the homosexual movement--as is mandated by law. This is why the place is a cesspool of corruption, greed, and lies. These things naturally go with that crowd, they go invariably with that territory.

Now you can all sit back and listen to the earthquakes of hysterical lies spewing forth from the atheist left in contradiction to what I just said from any number of directions, but count on hearing the nonsense about how dispassionate (and therefore amoral by definition) "science" has invalidated the real morality known as godliness and replaced it with some sort of superior, "rational" set of standards "valid" among any robotic and cannibalistic animal, otherwise known, among those who actually reverence the moral distinction between a human being and an animal and between the observed reality of free will and the wholly imagined non-empirical nonsense of the supposedly deterministic machine homo sapiens, to be an instantiation of what we have always said that it was: ethical corruption and moral rot.

This is why the top-level offices of these government agencies are so riddled with indifference to deep corruption. It's the very name of those atheistic players.

Well here we go again, instead of passing the tax plan that has already passed the Senate they do crap like this. It would be nice if they did their job and passed this legislation so we can all relax and enjoy Christmas......... BUT NO!

These %^&*$#s just want to play games with our lives again, they. Why is it that this Republican/Tea Party congress uses up energy and resources on anything they think will smear the President . This is just more political theater brought to us by the do nothing Republican/Tea Party congress. They didn't learn their lesson after November 6th because their back to their old tricks; politics, politics and more politics......

It never ends with these useless jerks does it. They just do not care about the country or the American people, they only care about themselves and those they really represent, rich people, banks, corporations and insurance companies..........

Why oh why did the American people allow these worthless Neandthals to keep control of congress? It won't be long before the American electorate realizes the mistake they have made........ THINK 2014.

I have waited six weeks to get in to my first appointment and after a lot of head scratching have no answers. Going on week seven and still waiting to hear when my follow up appointment will be. A person could pass away before you get answers from the veterans. On the other hand maybe that is what they want.

In 2004, the Bush administration flew twenty billion dollars of shrink-wrapped cash into Iraq on pallets. Now the bulk of that money has disappeared. The funds flown into the war zone were made up of surplus from the UN's oil-for-food program, as well as money from sales of Iraqi oil and seized Iraqi assets. Recent estimates had the amount of missing money at about $6.6 billion, but according to Al Jazeera, Iraqi Parliament Speaker Osama al-Nujaifi says the figure is closer to three times that amount.

Yeah that sucks, but let's think about this, one time one year. Now if this happened every year (like what is happening at the VA) there'd be more reason to b*tch don't you think?

Bush is gone, he'll never be President again.

JohnThinks:

From firsthand experience I know that the VA sees its mission as being a call to advance the homosexual agenda.

Since it is an impossibility to force same gender attraction, what exactly is the homosexual's "agenda"? Lol

eyetoeye:

I have waited six weeks to get in to my first appointment and after a lot of head scratching have no answers.

FYI: My father is a vet, and when the VA drags their heels regarding follow up appointments, I tell him he has to be proactive and continue to call them until he gets what he needs.

with todays technology they don't need to meet at a conference its just a social gathering and a waste of money or should i say party time on the tax payers expense

Just got a bill from the VA, for medication required because of a service connected disability, (not 100%, but troubling, none the less,) and my copay, (now required,) had tripled.

I have no problems with the people doing the work, doctors, staff, etc., but the administration, meaning THE government, (congress, senate, and other administration shills,) is out of control.

Perhaps the best way to clean up the mess is to eliminate EVERY one of those elected officials, and their cronies they put in charge, and put in new people that have the interest of the people they SERVE as their number one priority.

I know dental have got my teeth all screwed up after I was given medication during the 1st Gulf War for back pain,they didn't say a word to me about side effects. First dry mouth so bad I couldn't even speak at times,then being on a ship at sea the water made is not for the crew but the ship,they crate on tons of Coke,Pepsi,etc. Add that and dry mouth and you have a nightmare.

I just called a real dentist yesterday and plan to see him as soon as I get a chance and hope he can help me without it costing an arm and a leg.

There are nice people in the VA,but then there are screwups also.

I had a really good doctor who got sick and had to quit.

Now my Primary Care Doc can't get me out of his office fast enough.

I think the longest time I've spent in his office is 5 minutes.

And when I do go in I diagnose myself and tell him the medication I can use if needed before he tells me.

I'm glad I got off that crap they gave me,it also caused me to sleep walk and I woke up twice with a loaded pistol in my hands and had no idea how I got it or got to where I was.

They love pushing pills..........

I disagree with you on this. After being continuously lied to and ignored for years by V.A.'s counselors I finally called my Congressional rep. I called at 2:30 in the afternoon, spoke to an aide and had a live 15 minutes later. By the next afternoon there was a direct response again from the congressman himself. The issue is currently pending final resolution as I type this but let me assure you that the case is part of one that made national headlines from Oakland Ca. earlier this year.

Joe:

I hope your situation is resolved and you are properly cared for. Thank you for your service and my apologies for the problems you have encountered due to a system designed to deny rather than help.

I am not a government employee; merely an enabler of the system (a/k/a a frustrated taxpayer). The problems you and other vets encounter is not what we taxpayers envision when we think of the VA. The VA has become an epic red-tape laden bureaucratic failure of our government instead of providing the services so many vets need.

Joe veteran , you obviously didn't read the article. Its called - the folks in charge are going to get their money and go on their little retreats. If you don't like it, tough.

Glad you got some resolution. I went to the VA regional office and got handed excuses. They literally told me to contact a congressman and then bragged about how they had staff that did nothing but respond to congressional inquiries. They also told me that my file would b pulled, the cogressman would be told, "it's being worked on" and then my file would go back into the line, but at the end.

That is VA cutomer service for you. I'm still waitng for the money they owe me. I'm still waiting to see a surgeon (over 3 months) to tell me if he wil do the surgery and this was after waiting more than a year for them to find someone capable of doing the testing I needed for the diagnosis. Even though they had testing results from the army diagnosing the condition. Hell, they even gave me service connection for it six years ago, so it's not like it was rocket science to determine what was wrong. This is incompetence at its finest. In the meantime I'm forced to live on narcotics to function.

I'm not surprised that the incompetence goes from the top to the bottom of the entire VA system. What does surprise me is that I haven't seen Shinseki's name mentioned anywhere. This is the same idiot that spent millions on new berets for the army and then had to take them back and issue new ones because the originals had been made in china.

JWW. Having just resigned from the VA in Puget Sound where I had the priveledge of serving homeless veterans attempting to re-join the work force, I can tell you from first hand experience with these non-veteran "leaders" (incompetent, self-serving morons) that it is going to take an act of Congress. My former manager on a weekly basis was being called into Human Resources for treating his staff AND veterans badly. I had to resign because of the hostile work environment that was there to greet me upon my arrival. The man had no idea how many times he was triggering my PTSD. (I was hired BTW because I am a disabled veteran who has been previously homeless as a single man and with a new family.) At least once a week one of my veterans came to me with a complaint about either him or one of his non-veteran, calloused second-in-command. "The Union" is powerless. As for "who hires these idiots" Friendlyfire71....other idiots do. I'm now doing battle with their Payroll department because this brain surgeon submitted a timecard for a full-week's worth of hours ("worked") when a few days prior he accepted my resignation. And of course when you call these geniuses to try to get an anwer as to "why"...he's not man enough to pick up the phone;go up the chain of command and its double-talk, CYA and avoidance. To make matters worse for our guys and gals this guy had no problem letting one of my coworkers continue working with our esteemed veterans even after openly refering to veterans as "dirty work" and one of the veterans on her caseload as "dog@!$%#" (I kid you not!). This pinhead (a vet herself) in a packed meeting actually lamented about the effort it was taking to convince this particular veteran to do something like this: "Its like trying to turn dog@!$%# into a diamond." SHE IS STILL THERE FOLKS!

I've said it a thousand times and will say it a milliion times more God willing: Veterans are best serve by Veterans!

Friendlyfire, you hit the nail on the head ! Whoever is hiring these people needs to be investigated also. Maybe instead of raising taxes, our money hungry government could just quit throwing OUR money away ?

The leadership of the VA are political appointees...appointed by the President..as is the leadership of all departments; i.e., DOJ, FBI, Treasury, State, etc.

So good luck getting any answers out of this administration's appointees. We've already seen how that works...nor will they likely resign.

The problem is if the small business owner is smart his business will not be small for long.

If I am not mistaken term limits would require a constitutional amendment. Since that requires the vote of these very people I do not see that happening ever. But while we are on the wish wagon, may as well remove their power to give themselves pay raises as well.

Term limits for congress is set by the state of each congressman/woman. They are elected by each state so each state has to enact a term limit. If enough people ask for one in each state then they have to vote on it in that state and that state alone.

This doesn't include all the expense at the county level for employee's that attend and get their expenses paid from the county government. It's also rediculous that a retired working vet can get $36,000 for a surgery when they also had pay from the county for sick leave. That was like a pure bonus. The system is broken and helps some too much and others not at all.

Term limits would require a constitutional amendment; they are not set state by state. States may set term limits on their own state legislators, depending on the constitution of each state, but not on federal representatives.

"Term limits for congress is set by the state of each congressman/woman. They are elected by each state so each state has to enact a term limit. If enough people ask for one in each state then they have to vote on it in that state and that state alone."

Wrong, wrong, wrong. The US Constitution sets the terms of office for federal representatives. State can do whatever they want with their respective state legislatures, but not Congress.

See US Term Limits v. Thornton (1995).

If you are infact 100% disabled then your healthcare is guaranteed by the VA (the same people who determined you are 100% disabled). I have no idea what bull you are trying to propagate here, but I find it disrespectful.

Very sorry for your situation, but I'd imagine you of all people would agree that the medical industry very much so needs a major overhaul. Obamacare may not be perfect, but I believe it is a step in the right direction.

Have you ever stood in line at a VA clinic. Everyone standing, who can stand, and sitting around for hours has the same appintment time and only 3 docs show up. And you think Obamacare will be any better?????

Obamacare is going to cost alot more than the VA wasted.. Huge amts. more.. Obamacare should be on the way out.. it is going to cause less care for everyone.. ESP. seniors.. I am in healthcare and trust me, you people have no idea what is going to happen come 2014.. we are screwed and Obama is going to be laughing at all of you who voted him back in.. Do you know SS disability is only going to last another 2 years.... 2years.. Obama didnt mention that did he? The VA needs some control but congress and Obama need to be babysat..

100% disabled is not the same as 100% disabled and unemployable. Been down the path with now deceased 100% disabled/unemployable Marine.

Scotch: I think you are confusing the reality of healthcare reform with some alternative universe where every hospital and doctor's office will transform into some bureaucratic netherworld unseen in the modern era.

The insurance industry as a whole needs reform. I watched my mom die because no real insurance company would cover her because of pre-existing conditions, and the one that finally did denied coverage when she actually used it. Even my lowly HMO is about the most incompetent thing I've seen. I was limping around on a broken foot for a full week and half before they actually read the X Ray and put me in a cast, and I've got "great" insurance.

Twoann: As someone in healthcare, i'm sure you would at least agree that something needs to change. I know plenty of people who are also in healthcare, and the redundancy and overall excessive cost of everything is ridiculous. Your insurance company shouldn't be billed $5 for a tylenol pill, $8 for a swab and over $100 for a orthopedic boot that costs a 3rd party supplier $22.

That's what you get from a HMO, too cheap to go for the PPO?

HMO's will be just like VA clinic's in the future. Hurry up, get in line, and don't bother coming to see us unless all that needs to be done is give you a pill.

Hey oddball, know where your coming from. If you don't do something you'll go more nuts, I'm that way even though I'm not 100%. Don't know if you like being around people, but if you do, you could volunteer at the VA(might have percs like free coffee,talking with others like you, ect.). Or volunteer at an animal shelter. Talk with your Doc about it. Never know until you try it, heck you just may like it. All of us(Vets) know what you get when you're 100%, so I won't go any further. Danny

The reason for $5 Tylenol and $10 Band-Aids?

Look at all the write-offs healthcare centers must take to serve those who can't/don't pay anything!

If you think healthcare is expensive now, just wait until it's "free".

Scotch: My HMO costs twice as much a month as a PPO option. $187 a month versus $93. But, yes, I'm actually switching so I'll have more flexibility. I'd rather pay the higher copays over being stuck with crap care.

BB427: Writeoffs are a percentage of the costs, but a substantial chunk of it is inefficient purchasing from overpriced medical suppliers who serve as unnecessary middlemen. Also, when costs for basic essential care are so unreasonable, you have a higher number of people who opt to avoid paying their bills because they know that they can never afford the total amount.

Whoa, Jack...don't put the blame on purchasing. Any reasonably well-run facility will have an individual or staff responsible for competitive bidding and purchase contracts. Do you think they send a person to Wal-Mart when they need to restock supplies? No!

No medical supply house has a monopoly on product, and they provide necessary services with a call or a click.

Are there any exceptions? Sure, perhaps a few outliers, but I defy you to claim that they're all in the tank.

BB427: I'd certainly admit that I'm not familiar with the entire medical purchasing field, but what I have seen (and those that I know well who are in that industry) are filled with examples of excessive pricing and redundancy. EIther way, I think most would agree that there is plenty of room to bring the overall costs of healthcare down. Including changing the medical malpractice laws as to lower the number of frivolous lawsuits that doctors deal with.

AMEN, Jack...totally agree about the frivolous lawsuits and the costs they impose on all of us!

i agree

The person in charge IS a retired general.

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs is retired US Army General Eric Shinseki, a distinguished combat commander with a remarkable career.

The Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs is W. Scott Gould, a US Navy veteran who served aboard the USS Richard E. Byrd and and as a reservist, Captain Gould was recalled to duty on Operation Noble Eagle as well as Enduring Freedom.

The VA Chief of Staff is John R. Gingrich, a retired US Army colonel who was in artillery as well as a staff and command officer at several levels.

The VA Under Secretary for Benefits is Allison A. Hickey, a graduate of the USAF Academy and Brigadier General in the reserves. She was in the first Academy class to graduate women, has over 1,500 hours as a pilot and aircraft commander, is the daughter of retired Army Lt. Gen. W. J. Hilsman, and she is married to retired USAF colonel Robert Hickey--who no doubt thinks she is a remarkably pretty woman

The reason these dedicated veterans who run the VA are not testifying is because the rightwingnutjobz of the Congressional committee do not want people with solid reputations to tell them where they can shove their idiotic witchhunt. The VA provides the best medical care in the world. Handing out a few trinkets and gadgets at an expensive conference is normal, routine, and a practice of longstanding--except to members of congress who consider it routine for junkets on USAF planes around the world for investigations of hula dancing in Maui.

Get real.

OHWE - The retired general in charge of the VA was more or less fired as Chief of the Staff of the Army.

Was "more or less fired" for telling the Bush Administration that the Iraq war was going to be expensive and was going to involve troops in that country for years. Guess what? He was right.

WashVance - that is not true. He made some very bad decisions for the army that not only did his entire staff disagree with, so did the SECDEF. One that killed the prestigous standing of one group of Special Forces, taking away their Black Beret and puttting the beret on everyone and forcing them to change to a Brown Beret. The entire force was against that. No, sorry he was one of the worst Cheifs the army has ever had. I know, I spent 23 years in the army, the whole force was hurt by his decisions.

I understand that many in the Army disagreed with the decisions, hell I was active duty at the time (although USAF). We even had Security Forces, who wear black berets in the Air Force who were upset about it. If the Decision was so bad, why have the Army not changed back? You would think that the SECDEF (Donald Rumsfeld?), if he would have fired him for that, would have immediatly reveresed course.

The Fact is, he testified before Congress about the cost of a would be war in Iraq. I remember everyone in the militart talking about it, Did a General Officer, have a duty to tell Congress what he truly believed? Or was his service, at the pleasure of the President, was to stick to the party line? Its a very hard ethical decision.

Did not reverse course as the govt was already broke beacause of the wars, we all knew it then and now, and he decision was only a moral buster. His piss poor leadership and skills as an overall manager were the reasons he was fired, just look at the VA now, very bad shape, even worse than it was under the Bush administration, and that is hard to believe.

You do realize that makes about as much sense as saying a fireman is in charge of "Obamacare" because they are technically government?

A Fireman is not federal. Only the Federal can do this kind of screw up. Do you work for the federal? Are you a screw up too? The VA and Obamacare are healthcare provided by the government. Is that to far off? lol

GBob2: Actually, it is "completely far off" - the two are completely different. The VA actually has physical hospitals and provides services directly. Obamacare doesn't provide healthcare, it reforms insurance rules and expands Medicaid. Might want to read up on what you are talking about before you go and call others screw ups. ;-)

You are spot on Jack. It's hard to explain that to alot of mislead folk

I also think congress is tryin to win back the Vets they fkd with that jobs bill. But it ain't gonna work

Gbob- A soldier is Federal, he works for the federal government, does that make him a "screw-up"?

Amen!!! Rocky.....you nailed the core truth of the deal. Pigs bumping up against pigs. Congress holding VA leadership accountable.....what a sick joke!

You got it, Rocky. The same politicians who are pretending to be clamping down on the waste and extravagance are really more concerned with screwing the veterans out of everything they can think of. SUPPORT THE TROOPS!!!!

Lest we forget , rocky rac, many in congress are rat- bat----- lawyers !

And that's the much needed truth. How about the contract outside retired mentally febal docs who do the touchie feelie job for big bucks write up a report that favors Veteran's Affairs and not the Vet. Your forever filing claims trying to get some help for the leg that is missing. You know it's gone, everyone else can see it's gone but not the contract docs.

Throwing money into a rat hole, to the rats, never solved anything. For every new claims worker you have two career management types sucking at the hind teat.

It seems to me instead of hiring more people to handle claims, they need to eliminate all the 'conventions' where they're taking time away from their JOBS to go have fun for a week - several times a year. With all the modern technology available these days, why couldn't they have these 'conventions' without leaving the building via satellite, Skype, or any number of ways which would be cost efficient - but wouldn't provide you with a free pen - or massage.

This just makes me so mad! My son has been trying to get help for his disability since 2005 (from Iraq). Our local VA office and the hospital (in Indy) have been helpful to the extent their hands are tied waiting for another bureaucracy of the VA to made their decision. Their extensive testing and care of him reported he suffers severely as a result of combat trauma AND the poor quality of care provided by the USMC when he returned from combat with obvious impairments. Meanwhile, he receives SS disability but it's barely over $800/mo since they deduct for Medicare(?). All this time, we've worked with our congressmen, senators, American Legion, VFW and numerous other agencies. We made a two-day trip to Washington DC (700 miles EACH way - me doing all the driving since I'm a single mom - and with a full-time job), but it was unsuccessful. We WON'T give up this battle!

@Craven-aye, Sure as hell you would never work for me. I'd fire you for your crappy sentence structure, spelling, usage and so forth. Go back to the fourth through sixth grade and learn to use the English language properly.

Not to mention the understaffed over worked medical folks who do 24/7 taking care of the Vets. Why are there funding cuts at the bottom and not at the top where the cuts need to begin???? Can Congress answer that question?

I think its time to allow this Government run garbage to fly off the fiscal cliff.. Let obama and his administration take full count for what money they have wasted and pocketed.. Our Vets need help and he will never give it to them.. He has to pay.

Jean-982597

I think its time to allow this Government run garbage to fly off the fiscal cliff.. Let obama and his administration take full count for what money they have wasted and pocketed.. Our Vets need help and he will never give it to them.. He has to pay.

Do you wear a big red nose and entertain children? Clearly you know nothing about the Veterans' Administration nor the Obama Administration's work with Veterans. Secretary Eric Shinseki has accomplished much more for Veterans than any other Secretary of the VA in my lifetime. I've been a veteran for over 40 years. President Obama and the First Lady have been huge supporters of Military Families and Military children's education.

The problems the VA is having are the same problems every huge bureaucracy, both private and public are having...weak middle-management. Add to that a severe lack of funding for the first 4 years of the last two wars and you have a severe back-log in the making.

Please educate yourself before commenting.

I attended a week long VA conference in 1995 with 400 other employees from around the country to learn about a new mental health program that ended up not getting approved and was never implemented. It was actually a solid approach that came to pass in another form and format 12 years later when it was the norm outside the VA. Problem back then was; it was the mid-level folks who developed and pushed the program and the upper-upper management folks who basically told them: "It wasn't our idea....we are not doing it." Most of those mid-level motivated and bright folks left the system so their innovations and ideas could have half a chance.