VA Telehealth Services Served Over 690,000 Veterans In Fiscal Year 2014

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today announced that its national telehealth programs served more than 690,000 Veterans during fiscal year 2014. That total represents approximately 12 percent of the overall Veteran population enrolled for VA healthcare, and accounted for more than 2 million telehealth visits. Of that number, approximately 55 percent were Veterans living in rural areas with limited access to VA healthcare. With more Veterans seeking health care, telehealth is rapidly becoming an attractive option, especially for those Veterans who don’t have a VA health care facility close to home.

“We have to adapt to meet Veterans wherever their needs are,” said VA Secretary Robert A. McDonald. “A brick-and-mortar facility is not the only option for health care. We are exploring how we can more efficiently and effectively deliver health care services to better serve our Veterans and improve their lives. Telehealth is one of those areas we have identified for growth.”  

Currently, there are more than 44 clinical specialties offered to Veterans through VA’s telehealth programs. One program at the Miami VA schedules close to 90 clinic connections every week for dermatology, eye exams, the women Veterans program, podiatry, mental health and other clinical specialties.

One tangible example of the success of VA’s telehealth program is its burgeoning TeleAudiology program because of large population of Veterans living with hearing loss. The TeleAudiology program has grown from 1,016 Veterans in fiscal year 2011 to more than 10,589 in fiscal year 2014.

For more information about VA’s telehealth program, visit www.telehealth.va.gov/.        

Source:http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=2646

Agent Orange and VA battles Wife recounts years of struggles for late husband to finally receive benefits

Over the following decades, he suffered from cysts and boils on his body and post traumatic-combat stress that nearly tore his family apart. He sought disability benefits for exposure to Agent Orange — a blend of chemicals used by U.S. armed forces in Vietnam to eliminate foliage that provided cover for the enemy — but theDepartment of Veterans Affairs repeatedly rejected his claims until days before he died, according to records.

"He was denied so many years until he was on his deathbed," Francesca Cesare said from her home in the Luther Forest development. "What good is that? At the end of his life, they finally admit it."

Continue Learning>>>http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Agent-Orange-and-VA-battles-5727316.php?cmpid=fb

McDonald must clean house at VA, experts say

Bob McDonald, President Barack Obama’s pick to head up the troubled Department of Veterans Affairs, faces such a hidebound bureaucracy that experts say the way forward is clear: He must clean house.

“McDonald has to walk in and kind of dismantle all of those structures that would keep the culture in the same place,” according to Todd Henshaw, the director of executive leadership programs at the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business. “If you’ve been in an organization that’s failed across the board the way the VA has, the writing is on the wall and probably a lot of the senior people have to go … He’s going to need some people coming in from the outside” with “some experience and some success leading organizations through turnarounds and transformations.”

Continue Learning>>>http://www.stripes.com/news/mcdonald-must-clean-house-at-va-experts-say-1.294510

Vietnam Veterans: Fighting For Care, part 1

"They (can) never take it away from you, and nobody will ever be able to say to you that you are less."

Anderson has serious health issues connected to exposure to Agent Orange. On Tuesday, the two-part series continues as veterans like Ken try to receive help from the local Reno VA, but are finding long wait times, denials and abrupt changes to disability claims.

Continue Learning>>>http://www.mynews4.com/news/story/Vietnam-Veterans-Fighting-For-Care-part-1/m-Pz37rQCkezVReoDD5WGA.cspx

VETERAN waiting to die as VA Directs Wife to Voicemail

Veterans Need To Take Ownership Over Their Health Care

The bigger problem is the absence of a coherent co-payment system to incentivize veterans to think through their health care decisions. Contrary to conventional wisdom, VA health care is free only to veterans with severe, service-related conditions. Abyzantine co-insurance system exists in which the cost of care is linked to the severity of a veteran’s condition and the degree to which the condition is service-related. Veterans additionally receive a monthly tax-free cash payment based on the severity of their service-related health condition. The result is that veterans face perverse incentives to let their health deteriorate to the point where they can avoid copayments and receive higher monthly financial support. Reform should focus on redesigning VA co-insurance to give veterans incentives to embrace preventive care and take greater ownership over their health care decisions.

Continue Learning>>>http://www.forbes.com/sites/theapothecary/2014/06/27/veterans-need-to-take-ownership-over-their-health-care/

Why Veterans Affairs Can’t Root Out Its Corruption

Eric Shinseki may be gone, but there are still indefensible civil service rules in place that put failing bureaucrats' job security ahead of the safety of the veterans they should be serving.

The independent VA Inspector General’s report was brutal in its assessment. Department officials at the Phoenix VA Health Care System used tricks to hide months-long delays faced by veterans seeking appointments. This fraud increased hospital administrators’ chances of netting cash bonuses and salary increases while jeopardizing veterans’ health, the report implied. According to the IG, similar scams are taking place at VA hospitals throughout the country.

Continue Learning>>>

http://time.com/2809158/veterans-affairs-scandal-eric-shinseki/

Senators reach deal on VA health care

The legislation would streamline executive firings, expand access to outside health care for rural veterans, hire more doctors and nurses, and look at ways to improve VA computer systems.

It was a hard-fought compromise between Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who both floated VA reform bills to help solve a widening scandal over patient scheduling abuses and veteran deaths. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., who sponsored a bill solely on firing VA executives, said Thursday he also supports the compromise.

Continue Learning>>>http://www.stripes.com/senators-reach-deal-on-va-health-care-1.287241

Too many military veterans suffering for their service

War's consequences are far-reaching and serious. The numbers of veterans from recent wars who experience post-traumatic stress disorder are estimated to be 30 percent from Vietnam, 30 percent from the Gulf War, between 6 percent and 30 percent from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Add to these figures all veterans whose serious chronic illness do not meet specific criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder and, suddenly, of today's 16.9 million living veterans, we have millions who suffer daily from their loyal service to our country.

Continue Learning>>>http://www.citizen-times.com/story/opinion/readers/2014/04/12/many-military-veterans-suffering-service/7603245/

VA NEWS>>>He Knew as far back as 2008, Obama Needs to Step up to the Plate, VA Scandal, Swift Accountability, Bonuses Banned for VA execs, 1.5 Million Unfinished Medical Orders Purged, VA Secretary Shinseki Must Go, VIDEO>>>Why He Should Not Resign

He KNEW! Obama told of Veterans Affairs health care debacle as far back as 2008

The Obama administration received clear notice more than five years ago that VA medical facilities were reporting inaccurate waiting times and experiencing scheduling failures that threatened to deny veterans timely health care — problems that have turned into a growing scandal.

Veterans Affairs officials warned the Obama-Biden transition team in the weeks after the 2008 presidential election that the department shouldn’t trust the wait times that its facilities were reporting.

Sen. McConnell: Obama needs to ‘step up to the plate’ in VA scadal

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell told Fox News’ Megyn Kelly Monday that President Obama needs to “step up to the plate” and personally focus on the problems plaguing the VA.

McConnell’s comments come as a West Virginia doctor told Fox News Monday that she was told to put patients seeking treatment off for months on end -- and that at least two of them committed suicide.

Veterans advocate says it's time for 'swift accountability' in VA scandal

The deputy director of the VFW Nation Veterans Service said Sunday there needs to be “swift accountability” regarding reports of treatment delays at veterans’ hospitals across the country.

“The families of these veterans need justice and they need it quickly,” Ryan Gallucci said on “Fox News Sunday.”

House passes measure to ban bonuses for VA executives

The House on Wednesday passed a bill amendment that would ban bonuses for senior executives with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Rep. Tim Huelskamp (R-Kan.), a co-sponsor of the proposal and a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, said the measure is needed because of “systematic leadership failures,” including preventable deaths at VA health centers, a backlog of longstanding disability claims and extensive delays for many of the department’s construction projects.

Veterans Affairs officials purged 1.5 million unfinished medical orders

More than 1.5 million medical orders were canceled by the Department of Veterans Affairs without any guarantee the patients received the treatment or tests they needed, the Washington Examiner has found.

Since May 2013, veterans' medical centers nationwide have been under pressure to clear out 2 million backlogged orders for patient care or services.

Gunny Duff Comes Out Guns Blazing: VA Secretary Shinseki Must Go 

The scandal is ongoing according Duff, who has charged the VA with having a “culture of corruption,” a phrase that fits well given the widespread nature of the bad behavior.

VIDEO>>>Secretary Eric Shinseki on Why he should not resign

Ignored, mistreated and turned away: Tales from the Phoenix VA

More than 200 veterans and family members packed into American Legion Post 41 to share horror stories of delays, misdiagnoses and poor treatment with the national commander of the American Legion and the interim director of the Phoenix VA. Steve Young took over after whistleblowers revealed secret waiting lists used to cover up backlogs and extensive wait times. One of the whistleblowers, Dr. Samuel Foote, said there are at least 13,000 patients without primary care doctors, and even more who can’t get timely specialty appointments or follow-ups.

He said 40 veterans died while waiting for appointments in Phoenix VA clinics, and VA wrongdoings have surfaced in at least 10 states.

The Legion’s Daniel Dellinger told the crowd that the VA has “a pattern of unresponsiveness that has infected the entire system.”

Continue Learning>>>http://www.stripes.com/news/ignored-mistreated-and-turned-away-tales-from-the-phoenix-va-1.283413#.U3ZwXkQ5T9w.facebook

VA NEWS>>>Statement by VA Secretary Shinseki on Allegations, Hospital delays are killing America's war veterans, Hagel: VA backlog, ‘we missed it’, Fixing the VA, Shinseki to testify

Statement by VA Secretary Shinseki on Allegations Regarding the Phoenix VA Health Care System

“We take these allegations very seriously. Based on the request of the independent VA Office of Inspector General, in view of the gravity of the allegations and in the interest of the Inspector General’s ability to conduct a thorough and timely review of the Phoenix VA Health Care System (PVAHCS), I have directed that PVAHCS Director Sharon Helman, PVAHCS Associate Director Lance Robinson, and a third PVAHCS employee be placed on administrative leave until further notice. 

Hospital delays are killing America's war veterans

The VA has confirmed six deaths at Dorn tied to delays. But sources close to the investigation say the number of veterans dead or dying of cancer because they had to wait too long for diagnosis or treatment at this facility could be more than 20. "It's very sad, because people died," said Dr. Stephen Lloyd, a private physician specializing in colonoscopies in Columbia.

Hagel: VA backlog, ‘we missed it’

“I don’t think it just started with General Shinseki’s term at the VA, this is something that should have been looked at years and years ago, so yes, we missed it,” Hagel said on ABC “This Week.”  Shinseki will testify next Thursday before the Senate Committee on Veteran’s Affairs.

Fixing the VA Requires More Than a Fall Guy 

Over the past several weeks, disturbing revelations about mismanagement and potential malfeasance at the VA medical center in Phoenix — where 40 veterans reportedly died due to delayed care — have raised serious questions about the department’s culture. Similar allegations have now arisen in Fort Collins, Colo., andSan Antonio, Texas, where it’s reported that VA officials falsified records to obscure the truth about how long patients were waiting for care — once again, to the severe detriment of veterans and their families. Veterans across the country are dying in VA hospitals, far from combat, while waiting on falsified waiting lists — a national scandal.

Shinseki to testify on claims of cover-up in deaths of VA patients waiting for care

The Senate Veterans Affairs Committee scheduled the hearing for next Thursday, announcing the move shortly after the House Veterans Affairs Committee agreed unanimously Thursday to subpoena top VA officials for documents related to the growing controversy.

Panel to Study at Agent Orange Residue Exposure

Fred Berman, director of the Toxicology Information Center at Oregon Health and Science University, said the VA "established new laws of chemistry" in denying the C-123 veterans' exposure claims.

In response, he and others co-authored a study in the April issue of the journal Environmental Research that concluded dioxin levels in the aircraft after the war were "likely to have exceeded several available exposure guidelines."

Continue Learning>>>http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/panel-study-agent-orange-residue-exposure-23717310

VVA Calls for Criminal Investigation in Phoenix

MAY 9, 2014 IMMEDIATE RELEASE PRESS RELEASE

(Washington, D.C.) There are many press reports of allegations that up to 40 patients at the Phoenix VA Health Care System (PVAHCS) may have died because of delays in their medical care. Most disturbing are the allegations that PVAHCS officials maintained a "list" of patients waiting for appointments to cover up and hide treatment delays by the PVAHCS. We have also heard rumors alleging that local VA official were destroying such evidence in an attempt to cover-up this scandal. "Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) takes this matter very seriously" said VVA National President John Rowan. "Therefore, VVA has requested a criminal investigation be immediately undertaken by the United States Attorney for the district of Arizona for possible charges of wilful neglect, potential obstruction of justice, and any other related charges that substantiate reckless endangerment." VVA has issued a similar request to the Attorney General of Arizona. Rowan further stated, "those proven responsible for such behavior that may have led to irreparable harm to veterans and/or to possible veterans' deaths should be held criminally liable." This list would include, but not be limited to, the Director of VISN 20, PVAHCS Director Sharon Helman, PVAHCS Associate Director Lance Robinson, and the unnamed third PVAHCS employee placed on administrative leave by VA Central Office. "We seek justice for each and every one of our veterans who allegedly suffered wilful neglect by PVAHCS officials and staff, concluded Rowan. "There is no excuse for this conduct, which may prove to be criminal. Those responsible for this latest VA scandal must be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law." No. 07-015   Contact: Mokie Porter301-585-4000, Ext. 146 SOURCE>>>http://www.vva.org/PressReleases/2014/pr14-006.html

VA Hospital Deaths, Arizona VA Boss Accused, Whistle Blower says VA, Two VA Employees Leave Over 'Inappropriate Scheduling', VA Secretary 'Angry'

Two VA employees in North Carolina on leave over 'inappropriate scheduling'

Two Durham VA Medical Center employees have been put on administrative leave because of "inappropriate scheduling practices," the Department of Veteran Affairs said in a Monday statement.

Whistleblower says Veterans Affairs cost-cutting led to denials, delays in life-saving cancer tests

“By the time that you do the colonoscopies on these patients, you went from a stage 1 to a stage 4 [colorectal cancer], which is basically inoperable,” said Krugman.  “That was done because of dollars and cents. For the VA, they have to be bleeding out of their rectum before they would authorize a colonoscopy. That was the standard of care,” he said.

Arizona VA boss accused of covering up veterans' deaths linked to previous scandal

A Veterans Affairs official accused of keeping double books to hide the fact that dozens of veterans died awaiting care previously ran a Washington state VA facility that allegedly fudged suicide numbers, FoxNews.com has learned.


VA clinic employee on leave after e-mail about manipulating appointments

A growing scandal over the manipulation of health care appointments resulted in an employee at a Wyoming clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs being placed on administrative leave, VA Secretary Eric Shinseki said Friday.


Veterans Affairs Sec. Shinseki 'Angry' Over Alleged VA Hospital Deaths

Up to 40 patients may have died at the Phoenix hospital, allegedly due to delays in care.

Several hospital whistleblowers claim that in an effort to improve their performance record, administrators ordered thousands of appointment requests be diverted to a secret unofficial list not to be reported. If the patients died, their names would disappear.

Dellinger calls for VA secretary, 2 others to step down

“Gen. Eric Shinseki has served his country well,” Dellinger said. “His patriotism and sacrifice for this nation are above reproach. However, his record as the head of the Department of Veterans Affairs tells a different story. The existing leadership has exhibited a pattern of bureaucratic incompetence and failed leadership that has been amplified in recent weeks.”

Continue Learning>>>http://www.legion.org/veteranshealthcare/221974/dellinger-calls-va-secretary-2-others-step-down

Veterans die after being placed on VA Hospital’s secret waiting list

The secret list was part of an elaborate scheme designed by Veterans Affairs managers in Phoenix who were trying to hide that 1,400 to 1,600 sick veterans were forced to wait months to see a doctor, according to a recently retired top VA doctor and several high-level sources.

For six months, CNN has been reporting on extended delays in health care appointments suffered by veterans across the country and who died while waiting for appointments and care. But the new revelations about the Phoenix VA are perhaps the most disturbing and striking to come to light thus far.

Continue Learning>>>http://myfox8.com/2014/04/23/veterans-die-after-being-placed-on-va-hospitals-secret-waiting-list/

Tears, angry accusations mark hearing on delayed VA care, deaths

The CNN investigative piece found that at least 19 veterans died because of delays in simple medical screenings like colonoscopies or endoscopies at various VA facilities, according to an internal agency document.

They were among 82 people who have died or are dying or have suffered serious injuries as a result of delayed diagnosis or treatment for colonoscopies or endoscopies.

"This is an outrage! This is an American disaster!" Rep. Jackie Walorski, an Indiana Republican, nearly screamed, her voice quavering.

Continue Learning>>>http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/09/politics/veterans-dying-house-hearing/index.html?sr=sharebar_facebook

Veterans Affairs Scrutinized Over Rehiring of Employee After Fatal Incident

Though Fillingim resigned his job in November 2010, five months after the incident, the I-Team learned he was rehired in March 2011, to a different post in a VA office in Georgia. Fillingim was rehired despite being the subject of an ongoing federal investigation into misconduct. Fillingim has retained the job ever since, despite investigators ruling he misused a government vehicle by driving it “intoxicated."

• Office of Inspector General Report of Investigation

House Committee on Veterans Affairs Chairman Rep. Jeff Miller (R-Fla.), during the Thursday hearing, called the incident "egregious" and asked a VA deputy secretary to provide details about who decided to rehire Fillingim and why. Miller also asked, "Why isn't drinking and driving a government vehicle a fire-able offense?"

Continue Learning>>>http://www.nbcwashington.com/investigations/Veterans-Affairs-Scrutinized-Over-Rehiring-Employee-After-Fatal-Incident--253275011.html

Suicide in the military: Army-NIH funded study points to risk and protective factors

"These studies provide knowledge on suicide risk and potentially protective factors in a military population that can also help us better understand how to prevent suicide in the public at large"” said National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Director Thomas R. Insel, M.D. NIMH is part of the National Institutes of Health.

Although historically, the suicide death rates in the U.S. Army have been below the civilian rate, the suicide rate in the U.S. Army began climbing in the early 2000s, and by 2008, it exceeded the demographically matched civilian rate (20.2 suicide deaths per 100,000 vs. 19.2). Concerns about this increase led to a partnership between the Army and the NIMH to identify risks.

Continue Learning:  http://www.nih.gov/news/health/mar2014/nimh-03.htm