VIDOL

Pressuring Government to Keep Its Promise to Our Veterans

 

It has been almost four years since the news first broke that American veterans were dying at the hands of an incompetent and neglectful Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Four years since we learned veterans were dying waiting to see a doctor.

Four years since we learned VA staff was being encouraged to cover up disgraceful wait times.

Four years since we learned some staff members even received bonuses based on appointment records that were falsified to seem more favorable.

Four years is a long time. But in that time, not much has changed in the VA.

As a recent Washington Examiner headline said:

“Remember the VA healthcare scandal? It’s still happening.”

In fact, just a few months ago, the news broke of yet another “secret waiting list” -- this one at the Omaha, Nebraska VA medical center, where this year alone, the hospital delayed care for no fewer than 87 veterans.

Enough is enough.

Our veterans deserve better.

They deserve to be thanked for their service -- not treated like an embarrassment or a problem.

They deserve the best care -- not botched treatments at the hands of careless doctors.

They deserve to be treated for the illnesses and injuries received while defending our country -- not shoved into a corner waiting to die.

I imagine when these scandals first broke, many veterans were relieved. They may have thought, “Finally someone is listening. Finally, things will get better.”

Then, once again, our country let them down.

2018 is a new year, and a new opportunity to make a stand for America’s sick and suffering veterans.

You’ve been a faithful friend to our heroes -- which is why I know I can count on you to renew your commitment to righting this injustice.

VIDOL’s mission is to pressure the government to keep its promises to our veterans. But we can’t do it alone -- so please don’t give up the fight.

Together we can make 2018 the year America’s veterans get the care they deserve ... by doing everything in our power to:

• Turn up the heat on President Trump to keep his campaign promises and fix the broken Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Send Congress the memo: “America’s veterans deserve better.”
• Tell everyone we can about our government’s abuse of America’s wounded, sick, and disabled veterans.

Together, we can make 2018 a “Happy New Year” for America’s veterans. Thank you for your continued support!

 

 

VA pays $550,000 to settle with Iowa vet whose heart-failure care was delayed three years

“The Department of Veterans Affairs has paid an Iowa veteran $550,000 to settle his allegation that he suffered life-shortening heart damage because of a three-year delay in treatment, the veteran said Friday. John Porter, of Greenfield, contended the delay happened because VA staff overlooked a test result showing his heart was failing. He said Friday he was glad he lived long enough to see the case settled.” Source: The Des Moines Register

VA under three investigations over report of rushed, botched radiology scans

“In 2010 [Kirby Williams] went to a Veterans Affairs clinic in southern Illinois where a radiologist took a scan of his kidneys. Unfortunately, the radiologist missed a 2- to 3-centimeter mass in one of his kidneys ... Now the 66 year old has, at most, two to five years to live. Sadly, evidence is mounting that Williams may be just one of many veterans whose health and longevity have been compromised by shoddy practices of VA personnel more focused on earning a productivity bonus than taking care of the men and women who put their lives on the line for the nation.”

Report: VA watchdog finds some problems at Colorado benefits office

“A federal watchdog agency says a Denver-area office of the Veterans Affairs Department made mistakes on some benefit claims and processed others late ... The agency blamed inexperience and ineffective oversight.”

 

You’ve faithfully supported America’s veterans with your generous donations. You can also help them by making your voice on critical legislation affecting their lives.

• H.R.1690 - Department of Veterans Affairs Bonus Transparency Act. Would enhance the transparency of high-dollar bonuses being provided to senior executives at VA.
• H.R. 1259 - The VA Accountability First Act of 2017. Would provide the VA Secretary increased flexibility to remove, demote, or suspend any VA employee for performance or misconduct.
• H.R. 27 - The Ensuring VA Employee Accountability Act. would require all reprimands and admonishments given to VA employees to remain in their file for as long as they are employed by the department.

Call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 today, and let your elected officials know: You support America’s veterans!

 

 

‘Scheduling manipulations and secret wait lists for care in the VA have not been corrected.’ — Whistleblower Shea Wilkes, in letter to President Trump.

According to a whistleblower at a Shreveport, Louisiana VA medical center, a NEW type of waiting list has emerged from the dust of the VA scandal: A backlog of 2,900 veterans waiting to see a civilian doctor.

Congress created the Veterans Choice Program (VCP) to speed veterans’ access to appointments. It allows eligible Veterans to receive healthcare from a community provider instead of a VA provider. The benefit is provided to veterans who live more than 40 miles from a VA facility, or if the facility can’t get them an appointment within 30 days.

But at facilities like the one in Shreveport, the program doesn’t seem to be helping. The VA requires a doctor referral, and the process is slow and complicated. So instead of waiting to see a VA doctor, veterans are now waiting to see an outside doctor.

In his letter to President Trump, whistleblower Shea Wilkes wrote: “Scheduling manipulations and secret wait lists for care in the VA have not been corrected, they have simply become actual wait lists for non-VA care... Those responsible for these mistakes are not held accountable and their careers continue to progress with little or no accountability.”

Wilkes went on to beg for the president’s help, because “some will die.”

In August President Trump signed a bill authorizing $2.1 billion in additional funds for the Veterans Choice Program. The funding is intended to keep VCP operating through February 2018, and avoid leaving thousands of veterans in danger of interrupted medical care. But it’s clear that VCP needs more work and more funding to operate more smoothly in the future.

 

... that George Washington was never paid a dime for his military service?

... that 56% of the 39 signers of the Constitution were Veterans?

... that 400 Veterans served in prominent; executive, legislative, judicial and gubernatorial positions before 1815?

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Dear Dr. Magill,

As a faithful supporter of Veterans in Defense of Liberty and to continue my support, I am rushing my best gift immediately in the amount of: