House panel to examine VA spending on extravagant conferences
"E-mails obtained by the committee show that the department’s
conference planners unapologetically and recklessly wasted taxpayer
dollars"” said a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee staff
report. "Taxpayers deserve better. And even more so, veterans deserve to
know that the VA is doing everything it can to provide crucial
services".
The VA has revised its conference policies since last
year to "strengthen oversight, improve accountability and safeguard
taxpayer dollars"” Gina Farrisee, the department’s assistant secretary
for human resources and administration, said in prepared testimony. The
changes include requiring approval from senior department officials,
depending on an event’s cost.
Planners at the Department of Veterans Affairs accepted thousands of dollars
in meals, spas, gift baskets and limo and helicopter rides from
hotels hoping to host the VA’s lavish conference business, a
congressional investigation has found.
The government
planners traveled to Nashville, Dallas and Orlando to check out
possible locations while treating the trips as little more than paid
vacations, according to an investigative report set to be released
Wednesday by the
House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.
Memphis V.A. Medical Center Responds To Patient Death Inspections
The Memphis V.A. Medical Center Chief of Staff, Christopher Marino,
went before cameras Thursday to respond to mistakes in the emergency
department that killed three veterans.
"We take these issues very seriously and we have acted to address them directly contributing to the deaths"” said Marino.
A health care inspection last May showed patients who came in for
back pain, neck pain and high blood pressure were given drugs they were
allergic to, put on oxygen and left unmonitored.
A nurse also failed to follow-up with doctors on a high blood pressure patient.
The three patients died.
HIRING U.S. VETERANS: RISE AND SHINE TO A DIFFERENT ROLE CALL
As a Vet, you have something special to offer: dedication,
perseverance, hands-on problem solving skills and uncommon drive. Now
that you're home, you want a career with a real future. We're committed
to making that happen.
Here you can find out about the many initiatives,
partnerships and programs in place to help you thrive at Comcast. You'll
also find links to programs that are specific to NBCUniversal. Now,
explore the possibilities available to you at the intersection of
technology and entertainment.
After years of living out of a homemade camper shell
on the back of his truck, Rusty Reed and his dog, Timber, now have a
permanent home, thanks to a program offered by the VA and HUD.
Arnold Fisher is angry.
The real estate mogul and
philanthropist wants know why the U.S. government isn’t doing more to
help the country’s veterans in their recovery from post-traumatic stress
(PTS) and traumatic brain injury (TBI).
"If we can't do this, we are not a decent people"” Fisher said. "We lose that decency if we can't help those who help us"”
On Saturday, a town hall meeting was held at the American Legion Post One in Lake Charles for those exposed to Agent Orange.
Over 300 people attended the meeting, along with a group of expert panelists.
Officials said the objective was to bring together everyone affected.
But the meeting was also for family members.
"It can go down five to seven generations, so grandchildren can be
having children that have maybe something that is connected to the Agent
Orange disease from the very beginning," said Sandra Lopez, Chapter 215
historian.
