Barack Obama’s presidency has been filed with controversy, and critics have often accused his administration of playing fast-and-loose with the law.
Now, new reports show that the White House has been encouraging the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to violate orders of Congress, and withhold necessary healthcare information from veterans.
And this latest move offers opponents more evidence that Obama has no respect for the rule of law – this time at the expense of our nation’s veterans.
It’s all because of the “Choice Act”, which was passed by lawmakers in 2014 after the tragic death of 40 of our nation’s heroes while they were awaiting the care promised to them.
The law requires the VA to provide statistics on the quality of care at its facilities so veterans can make educated decisions on which VA facility they should choose for their care.
The Obama administration originally complied. A website run by the Department of Health and Human Services provided statistics based on the quality of the healthcare at different locations, such as death and readmission rates.
But over this last summer, the VA slowly stopped sharing the required data — data crucial to the well-being of our veterans — and attempted to keep its non-compliance as quiet as possible, USA TODAY reported.
“Joe Francis, director of clinical analytics and reporting at the Veterans Health Administration, said lawyers at HHS advised the VA to pull the plug until the two agencies could work out a new deal governing the sharing of information.”
In other words, they got their ‘wires crossed’ in their data exchange.
Rather than fix the problem (and despite the fact that their actions were expressly against the law), the Obama administration suggested that the VA instead remove the stats from the website, therefore significantly reducing veterans’ ability to choose the best care based on their personal health needs.
A spokesman for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services within the HHS defended the practice and told USA TODAY that, “the agency is committed to providing additional health care information to consumers.”
Really? When? As of today, the quality statistics that are legally required to be provided to our veterans are still not readily available.
This isn’t the Obama administration’s only violation of the Choice Act. The VA also took down its website in February that provided a comparison between hospitals.
So what would be worth taking the site offline and in turn, putting these heroes’ lives on the line?
According to Francis, the website wasn’t accessible enough.
So they simply turned it off.
Disgusting.
While HHS claims it is attempting to improve the site and have it back online as soon as possible, there is currently no timeline to resume reporting the quality of care statistics.
Obama has less than four months left in office – and the end couldn’t come soon enough. Time and again, Obama has proven that veterans are not a priority for his administration.
Our vets’ only hope is that our next president cares more about their contributions to our freedom than our current president does today.
— The Horn editorial team
Main Street says
Where’s Congress? Where is the VFW? The VFW’s Brian Duffy was quick to criticize Trump early last month at the national convention . Yet, they say little about this administrations neglect of veterans. No cutting back on care for illegal aliens though.
American Citizen says
Why are we so unaware ? Obama is a fake president. He is not qualified either intellectually or morally to be our President but brain stems, my term for Democrap supporters, do not have the intellectual
ability or desire to determine by proper qualification who is prepared to be President of our country now in extremis thanks to Dimbocrap Obama. Hillary is honing the final nail to our coffin as a free country but the braindead line up like lemmings so they may take credit for electing a female president. Check her DNA. Surprise.
rjd says
The political process in this country has become a joke, and not a funny one! Our people are forced to choose between 2 usually unqualifed, incapable, power-hungry puppets. We should skip any nomination because it is done deal before it even begins. The electoral vote has created an autocrasy, and democracy along with the constitution has been rendered to nothing but a side-bar. Our once fine country is being reduced to a mere fragment of what it once was. The very worst of it is that we have taken our Great God out of the equation, and replaced him with political distortion or in modern terms political correctness!
Susan Meyer says
rdj – With all due respect want to correct you, this country is not a democracy, it is a republic. Big difference.
DLW says
Susan, your correction is accurate in that we are not a democracy, we are in fact a Republic. And it is a big difference but in the scope of what rdj was saying it makes no difference at all. We have a President and his minions who are contiuously breaking the law, and in this particular case men and women who sacrificed for this country in ways you can never even imagine are being screwed over by a system that we the people have no real control over. We definitely need a total makeover from the top down including the head of every agency and at least half the staff and 85 % of our elected Congress need to be removed from office.
Hanko American says
Never has anything been said more clearly than what American Citizen has said! SOOOOOO right on the mark!!!
Kevin says
That no good corrupt bastard President Obama! I’m sure Hillary rotten Clinton would be the same way! I feel really sad for our veterans who are sick and waiting for hospitalization etc. This is one of the many reasons why we need to like Donald Trump for president of United States! Clinton would be a corrupt disaster to our country! Right, we can give money to illegal aliens that shouldn’t even be over in this country in the first place but none for our veterans! The whole system, Congress is so freaking corruptly messed up!
Brigid says
I question how much of this is true? I am a veteran and I have had nothing but outstanding care by the VA since 1990. Reagan did the worst cuts to the VA than any stinking President that we have had. George Bush crap Jr. wasn’t any better. The VA operated in the red for 4 years with no funding. And the Choice plan was another big joke. It only kicked in when you had an emergency and needed to go to a local ER Room at a civilian hospital. The 800 number on the back of the card to call for care was not even activated until January of this year. Another farce for about 2 years. That card was Senator McCain’s idea. The truth is this–veterans do not want their healthcare to be privatized any further than what it already has been. You can’t even fire incompetent doctors or nurses because they have a union that protects them. And the so called patient advocates at the VA clinics and hospitals is another joke. The true problem is this, the VA is understaffed and Congress is doing nothing about it. Staff our hospitals and clinics the way they should be and the care would be great! And by the way President Bill Clinton did more for female veterans than any other President of the United States has ever done.
The VA didn’t even have mammogram machines or gynecologist doctors on staff. Female veterans were outsourced to private doctors. Or Gyn”s were brought in from local university hospitals to do the surgeries. And the VA hired nothing but the best for the women in need. I don’t believe for one minute that Trump will take care of our veterans as he claims. Hillary Clinton will do just that. Take care of us. Bill Clinton and Al Gore surely did.
Brigid says
Also under Bill Clinton, the first VA hospital in Philadelphia, PA. built the first woman’s hospital wing ward in the country. And they brought in a full Gynecology staff and mammogram machines for our women. Another problem with the VA is that the Pentagon complains that the VA might get a little to much money for our veterans and the Pentagon will have to take less money because of it. The Pentagon is rotten and so are many high ranking military officers when it comes to soldiers getting their disabilities. Also the DAV, VFW and the American Legion and Amvets do not do enough to rag Congress to take care of our veterans. A bunch of big talk and no actions!
Ron Paynter says
Would it be safe to call you an unmitigated liar or is it just your Democratic behavior just coming to the forefront,you know lying thru your teeth while putting the Democratic spin on everything as usual.
Kevin says
That’s where you are wrong buddy boy! Clinton could give a shit about you or any of the other veterans in this country! Seems like you’re a damn Clinton lover. Big big mistake buddy! Donald trumps to manhandle this country not that we gas line oh good corrupt sucking ass Clinton! Do you want more Clinton in the White House?! We don’t need any more corrupt Clinton’s on the White House, nor we did need bushes in the White. Get your head out of your ass and vote for Donald Trump! You don’t know what the hell you’re doing. Do you like your taxes going for illegal aliens over here? Get your brains examined! Klyn will destroy this country Bozal balls!
Doug Rodrigues says
Brigid, you’re sounding like a propagandist for Organizing for America.
Ginger says
I agree. Obama is fake and everything about his administration is fake. It’s like getting a bowl of plastic fruit. It may look good on the outside, like it’s actually edible. But when you try to bite into it you realize that it’s fake and offers nothing of substance. Great. If the voters think things will get better under Hillary, they are sadly mistaken. More of the same nonsense. Trump/Pence 2016!
Charles Rappa says
Over a million biker’s showed up in Washington for peaceful purpose, now just think what would happen if we really piss off these people, some or maybe most being vet’s. I for one would gladly join them to show the government that it’s time for a change for the better, not the hope and change that we were promised. They want to take all hope form us,, but thank God all our Vets won’t let that happen.. God bless America, and all the brave vet’s that have served, and yes I did serve, and would do it again.
Richard B says
Its going to keep President Trump busy the good part of his first term cleaning out the Obama appointees from every agency in the government.
Jemb says
Obama’s appointees will all be gone on January 20th.
As soon as Trump is elected he’ll be building his cabinet
and hiring the American people who believe in our Vets.
Charles Masterson says
Yeah, but those POS’S WILL BE FAR GONE !!!!
Dee says
Amen !! We’ve had to put up with All those bums turning Our Country into a third world . That’s not what Americans want , but who the hell are we , the king makes the calls . We The People Can’t have a Trump Presidency soon enough !!
michael Barrett says
how ?? BARRY knows and uses election fraud, VOTER RIGGING,AND HOW TO STAGE ACCIDENTS FOR ANY THAT COULD REVILE WHO HE IS ?? like the gal that was supposed to verify barry’s eligibility? in a airplane wreck ? so she could NOT be held responsible for barry getting in without even a birth certificate?? now his constant work to DIVIDE AMERICA ? how can AMERICANS be sure they are NOT LIED TO ?? paper ballots verify EVERY ONE !! it is the president we are electing ? should every precaution be in place?? not as our current administration would have it RIGGED !! AMEIRCA we are being LIED TO BY THE PRESIDENT ? proof was his first statement ” IF YOU LIKE YOUR INSURANCE YOU CAN KEEP IT?? from there all down hill
RETIRED says
Maybe it is time the vets new or old turned the tables and retaliate against the corruption and lies from the U.S. government?
TRUMP/PENCE 2016—-2024 The last hope to make america where it once was……. they say you can not live in the past, but you sure as hell can not continue the path this administration has been taking us! Trump/Pence can do it just give them the chance, point the finger at the correct name in November and push the Trump button..
Christopher S. O'Rourke says
Main Street I’m a Veteran who gave 40 faithful, loyal, flag waving, Stars & stripes, patriotic, dedicated years of my life serving & working Federal Civil Service to our country, and what did it get me, NO CLASS CITIZENSHIP, the damned garbage illegal aliens from many places have rights, while our own Veterans & Senior Citizens only rights are NO CLASS CITIZENSHIP, NO RESPECT, get screwed over, pay taxes, vote and not vote at all, while these damned illegal aliens, especially those damned ragheaded Iranians, Palestinians & Syrians get everything given to them on a damned gold platter plus some, what a deal! My retirement gets to be taxed while we have a Demoncrat B@&CH who is a double dipper with 2 tax free pensions by the name of Hitlery Killery ROTTON Ayatollah Khoemeni Clinton & her damned POS white trash,racist,bigot,communist, draft dodger former Figurehead Bill Clinton who dodged the draft has a tax free pension for being Figurehead of the United States, and 3 tax free state of Arkansas pensions for being Attorney General and for being Governor of Arkansas twice, we don’t need those damned POS white trash, racist, Facist,communist,bigoted Clinton’s in the White House. Donald J. Trump has a huge job ahead of him when he takes office, and our current Figurehead, the big health insurance companies own him lock, stock, block, barrel & then some, and those damned Clinton’s have dirt on the entire government of those that are not peons.
Dee says
Thank You for your service !! When Trump gets in , and he will , All Veterens will be taken care of and receive any and all help they need. How we have fallen into this hell hole under this guy . Who ever supported him, especially the second time I hope feels remorse and would not make the same Mistake again by placing a vote for Hitlery .
Main Street says
Good post Mr. O’Rourke:
sw says
Thank you for your years of service. I would LOVE to remove the clintooons from office.
Semper Fi says
I am a life member in the VFW and am ready to burn my membership card
Doug Rodrigues says
Obama, the narcissist fraud president doesn’t give a damn about anything but his lusting for a One World Government / Socialist agenda. I suspect that he’s also biased about Veterans killing his Muslim brothers, and so he won’t give the Veterans any special attention to receiving proper care. As for Congress….they are worthless to do anything but protect their own benefits of office and perks.
sw says
Term limits for EVERYONE 6 years and OUT. Get a fckn job. I hear Walmmart is hiring.
B. B. says
They ought to fire that tide salesman. Close all hospitals and buildings. Sell all the property and get the V. A. Completely out of the Health Care Business. Fire all of the Slack Asses who pretend to Work at the Hospitals. Get rid of all the Quacks. Send all those dot head Hindus back where they came from.
All Veterans should be issued Tri Care or Champ V. A. Insurance Cards at no expense. And be allowed to choose Civilian Doctors, Dentists and specialists. No Copays on Dr. Visits or Prescription.
This would cut the National Debt by Trillions. The rest of the V. A. Should be thouroughly evaluated and the slack asses should be fired.
Semper Fi
Arthur Hartsock says
I’m a Veteran from the 70s. And I’ve formed opinions close to yours. A few VA hospitals are good, but they are the exception.
sw says
Amen to that
Con Ma says
that’s why they want to ban fire arms…
Cynthia Hunt 73@ says
So what’s new. Americans should know by now Obama wants to destroy this country and Americans are letting him get away with it. He’s no damm good and Hillary is no good. Obama will still run this country not Hillary. Damm it wake up America. He is the leader of Isis.
Peter Joffe says
Congress are busy looking after the Supreme Leader – Obama. Don’t cross him as he will cut off your lights and water! May November come soon and Obama and his ‘democrats’ get lost in the books of infamy and villainy. Pearl Harbor was a day of Infamy. 9/11 was another day of Infamy. The election of Obama was another day of infamy and madness. We have had enough days of infamy so don’t let Clinton be another one!
alice house says
Hopefully one day when the idiot in charge declares war–none of us will show up! Every politician’s child should be drafted in any future U.S. war–it’s only fair!
Elly says
What would you expect from a president who hates the military? Time can’t come soon enough until he’s out of the WH.
American Citizen says
Great Response from a real American. More than may be legally stated about Barac the AntiAmerica Hack. Hopefully folks have learned color does not make one a patriotic American just like well coiffed hair and bearing a child does not make a female. Think Hillary Rotten Clinton . Goofy unsatisfied females are chomping at the bit to stick Hillary in our faces to make a weak point that women can do anything. One thing Hillary cannot do is be a Real American. Wake up America before you relegate your children’s life to an unAmerican socialist at best pseudofemale. Her choice I men says it all and get willingness to tolerate his debauchery tells you her goal is becoming the final nail in the coffin of our now moribund democracy.
ch says
Well Bill once said, that hiTLIARy has had more women then him.
Brigid says
Ha!ha!ha! Wake up people! Nothing is going to change! Stinking Paul Ryan has drafted up a bill that will screw all retired veterans who have put in 20 years or more in the Armed Forces. His bill if passed will stop all new retired servicemen from collecting their earned military pensions till they are 62 years old. Most veterans die by the time they are 51 years old. And stinking right wing Nazi Paul Ryan knows that! The Republicans hate our veterans more than the Democrats do! And as long as they keep their stinking tax cuts, that is going to hurt our veterans as well. They don’t want to pay a blasted penny in taxes because that might support our disabled and retired veterans compensation and retirement pensions. Down with all of the right wing idiots! And veterans are not going to support them in the next election! Rhino Paul Ryan’s agenda has already leaked out to retired and disabled veterans.
sw says
Is this true
Don says
OneBigAssMistakeAmerica
politicallyincorrect says
If politicians really cared about vets this issue wouldn’t even exist but they all forget that if it wasn’t for people serving and those that have served these same corrupt idiots would not have the jobs they have and totally disgust me
william says
GOT THAT RIGHT DON!!
John G . says
He’s all show and no go when it comes to our veterans and the military – he is truly a “Coward and Chief”.
Gary Smith says
Good name
joe says
IT’S AMAZING. The VA HAS ME LISTED AS M.I.A…WTF
Capucine says
Par contre il est prêt à dépenser des milliards de dollars pour faire entrer 500 000 Syriens !
Patsy Martin says
This is nothing new for out elustrious President who speeks so eloquently, but says a lot of nothing most o the time. I hear him speek and it is like, ok, now tell me something important, like, are you leaving now. This man has single handedly set our country back 150 years with his racism and his public display of hatred toward the American people. And he wonders why we question his true birth place. Anyone with three birth certificates, each from a different place, two different names , and two social security numbers, would cause most any one to question these things. When he is seen while in college studying Marxism then following the most famous Marxist aftward. And his latest display in the White House by removing the US Flag from the oval office and replacing it with obvious muslim decor, well, it does speek volumes as to where his loyalty is, and it is not with America.
Chuck Parsons says
This bastard is a TRAITOR he continues to bring in ILLEGALS and MUSLUM TERRORIST he conspires with the ENEMY like IRAN he is going to do anything he can to tear down our country. Why hasn`t he been IMPEACHED for TREASON?
CarmenB says
Sadly, Chuck, there is no time for impeachment and have we not already learned how useless that process became after Clinton continued as president while under threat of impeachment? We must not allow Hillary to continue the policies of President Obama so we can rebuild and improve once again.
CarmenB says
And another lie from this President – I wish he would just shut up, play golf and be a proper lame duck. History will judge him harshly as an incompetent President, who damaged our economy, hurt (or even contributed to the death) of our veterans. Jimmy Carter must be so glad he will no longer considered the worst President in our modern era.
Jerry says
What can I say, He is a Muslim, He hates America, and our republican House and Senate are more concerned about Donald Trump than the Enemy to America in the White House
Pete s says
Obama is a jerk who never should have been elected to the presidency in the first place I hope Trump wins so the military will feel important again
John Ceccarelli says
Congress is busy with Hillarys Email issues I guess she’s still got a way of screwing over our troops. The current administration will absolutely make you sick. I watched the house oversight commitee last night grilling the FBI you can clearly see that they are not going to do anything to Hillary as they are blocked off by CIA and FBI controlling all her Emails. Its just not something we need in our lives right now and Obama is loving every minute of this.
Kestral says
I think anyone that is eligible to run for president should have served time for their country first..In the military.Then they would understand what it takes to keep us free..Also when they take the oath to defend the constitution and don’t, they need to be removed from office by congress..This would also include people in congress..Last but not least,”TERM LIMITS”…Very badly needed
Jan C says
Who is actually running this country? It seems like all we have now are people cleaning messes up that someone else has made, covering for each other, with people disappearing, others found dead under suspicious circumstances. No one is concerned about the problems at hand, such as the veterans.etc.
Constitutionalist says
Jan C-
Who is actually running this country?
The owners. If you want to know who, how, when, and where, let me know…but here’s a hint: it ain’t CongressCretins or the Preznit.
GTJohn says
You have to wonder why he has not been impeached and convicted.
Richard Camp says
As long as we have miss informed and lazy, give me free stuff people in our society, these weak minded people will continue to vote for losers. How else could Obummer be voted in two terms.?
Salvatore Belardo says
Just add this to the list of all the things Obama should have done but didn’t!
He’s as useless as tits on a bull!
Gary Smith says
How true
AL E. GATOR says
Just another BAD FORM MOVE , by a on his sorry ass way out, an I,ll bet he will not be living in the USA ,after his failure term is finally over, you do not leave a mess, of were you are living , if you are moving an living next door. just a potus, ( pig of the us-not us )
Joanne says
What else can the American people expect from a FRAUD? He’s a NONSTOP BLOODSUCKER. I believe in a Higher Power and Divine Intervention, and he will REAP WHAT HE SOWS for all the evil acts he has perpetrated on this nation.
Solo says
Obama and his administration don’t care about veterans or U.S. Citizens….they have other plans and priorities.
Justin W says
I have an easy solution for this problem. All federal employees, including the president, will have their health care provided by the VA. Once the Obamas come to terms with the concept that what is good enough for our veterans is good enough for the soon to be former commander in chief the president may decide to fix the system.
Things would operate differently if the Washington politicians and bureaucrats were able to enjoy the same health care and retirement (Social Security) as the American citizens.
Gary Smith says
Good idea
Ron says
These same bureaucrats have always had and retain the power to vote for their own pay and compensation, retirement, medical etc How do you think you can remove that power now?. You don’t believe any president voted in possesses that power do you. For this it would take military sided with the people and power of the people to put an end to the corruption embedded deep in our government. Party affiliation will not do it as both parties are corrupt and participating in the destruction of America.
NAN says
OBAMA IS SHAMEFUL. HIS ENTIRE ‘PRESIDENCY’ HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST HOAX EVERY PERPETRATED ON THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. HE HATES AMERICA. HE’S RACIST AGAINST NO ONE BUT WHITE PEOPLE. ALL OF HIS BEHAVIOR HAS PROVEN THAT. ALWAYS WATCH THE ACTIONS … WORDS ARE CHEAP.
GOD BLESS AMERICA. GOD SAVE AMERICA, AND GOD BLESS MR. TRUMP. HE’S OUR ONLY HOPE, FOLKS.
Barbara says
GOV. KICK THE B OUT OF OFFICE.—-HE’D RATHER SUPPORT HIS IRANIAN BUDDIES THEN OUR VETS————HE CAN GO TO H. WITH HOLD HIS RETIREMENT MONEY AND LETS SEE HOW FAST HE MOVES FOR OUR VETS.!!!!!!!!!!!
The Fox says
This Marine of 12 years and 3 conflicts knows as the VA get worse by the day. I belonged to the VFW and American Legion and know other vets that have a portable oxygen maker so they can fly and go places and not drag a heavy oxygen tank around that may run out and aren’t allowed to fly with. I have COPD and love to travel but they won’t give me the portable oxygen maker and say they never gave them out at that VA but, all these guys tell me they got them at the same VA I go to. A appointment can take months to get and they don’t care about the vets but, the money they make working there. What a mess but, they Hitler did the same thing to WW1 vets because he knew they would fight against his plans for dictatorship and Obozo has followed his plans from day one, the dictator is now in the White House.
KAY HALL says
Our entire government, Democrates and Republicans alike, have chosen to further their own petty causes instead of full-filling the broken promises made to our veterans. You do not promise, and bind these heros, under law, and go back on your promises. We must hold them accountable now. Vote everyone who has commited this crime out. Cut the dead wood.
Patrick Dee says
All branches of the United States Government has just followed suite of our “SO CALLED LEADERS” on how they handle business. This administration has showed us that “THEY” Oboma and Clinton come first. Once they get all the kickbacks they want the next leval gets the kick-backs they feel they deserve do they then start budgeting for the wounded Vets that actually need HELP! The only help the people running these programs need is how to obtain a summer home paid for in cash and whatever frills that appears more important to them. Actually the VETS come last. SO SAD!
Alan says
Another brick in the edifice that is Omama’s Legacy.
El Tejas says
Obama is despicable! He has never supported the military or our veterans. He has never had a real job or done a real days work in his life. He does not understand or know anything about working Americans. He does not have a clue about what is like to provide a home and put food on the table for a family. He has been a career community agitator and politician his entire adult life. How did we ever elect someone so incompetent to be our President?
Michael Valgos says
You see Obama has never served this country. He has only used to better himself. If the truth be known Obama probably doesn’t really care about anyone, or anything with the exception of himself. If there is a lower vermin on Earth, I would like to know what it is. This is the guy that even a mother couldn’t love.
William L. Sasman says
This is a big thing with Obama. Just seen on TV where they are setting up millions for the health care of the muslins coming into this country. Yet they push the vets back on health care. The goverment of Obama has more care for outsiders then men who faugth for this country. Those still in the service should take notice of this. Their time maybe coming when they get out. I get two or more letters every week for the Legion and VFW to help vetrans. Where is our goverment. Out help[ing illegals and others.