Year after year, President Barack Obama fails to fix the VA system.
A new report from the Department of Veterans Affairs Inspector General office proves Obama’s administration still has not improved the veterans care system — despite Obama’s years of promises. It seems Obama is more interested in running out the clock on his second term than actually living up to his promises to our veterans.
Veterans still are dying while awaiting care at the Phoenix VA Health Care System, according to the Inspector General’s report released Tuesday.
The Phoenix system was at the center of a national scandal in 2014 when Veterans Affairs internal investigations identified 35 veterans who died while awaiting care. Veterans on secret waiting lists reportedly faced scheduling delays of up to a year.
The Inspector General’s report said the VA Office reviewed more-recent allegations that the Phoenix system’s staff “inappropriately discontinued and canceled consults, management provided staff inappropriate direction, patients died waiting for consultative appointments, more than 35,000 patients were waiting for consults” as of August 2015.
Consults include appointments, lab tests, teleconferencing and other planned patient contacts.
As of July 2016, there reportedly were 38,000 open consults at the Phoenix VA.
“More than two years after the Phoenix VA Health Care System became ground zero for VA’s wait-time scandal, many of its original problems remain, and this report is proof of that sad fact,” U.S. House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Jeff Miller said in a statement. “It’s clear veterans are still dying while waiting for care, that delays may have contributed to the recent death of at least one veteran and the work environment in Phoenix is marred by confusion and dysfunction.”
Miller didn’t release any other information about veterans who died. Phoenix VA officials didn’t immediately return a call seeking comment on the report.
The Phoenix system enrolls about 85,000 veterans and announced last week the hiring of yet another new director since the 2014 firing of Sharon Helman.
“VA’s performance in Phoenix and across the nation will never improve until there are consequences up and down the chain of command for these and other persistent failures,” Miller said. “Unfortunately, given that this report is largely devoid of clear lines of accountability to those responsible for Phoenix VAHCS’s current problems, it is unlikely these issues will be solved anytime soon.”
“Today, we have even more reason for outrage over the poor leadership, understaffing and lack of communication and coordination at the Phoenix VA,” said U.S. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, D-Ariz.
Arizona Sens. John McCain and Jeff Flake said in a joint statement that “despite nationwide outrage following the scandal, today’s report confirms that cultural change at the Phoenix VA is still desperately needed.”
“It’s time for comprehensive reform. When I am president, building a 21st century VA to serve our veterans will be an equal priority to building a 21st century military to fight our wars,” Obama promised in March 2007.
Nine years later it’s clear — he lied.
Do you think President Obama will fix the VA? Or is he waiting out the clock on his term? Comment below.
The Associated Press contributed to this article
Folks in power don’t care about veterans. Few of their children or selves ever serve in our military. They lie to the recruits by telling them that the government won’t forget them. From the drill sergeants all the way up, they deceive . We need new leadership to restore our military and VA to sincere values.
Sure they care. In time for the elections and to help get Democrats get reelected as in Senator Ashford in Omaha Nebr. The VA hospital replacement there is reportedly in the works for 2019 and was announced in time to give the incumbent something to use in his campaign add and hang his hat on for the elections. It is funny how things work out.
Obama isn’t going to fix anything except his golf game and bringing more radical Jihadists into our country. He will hand the baton over to Hillary if she wins the election and she’ll increase immigration by 500%. That is why we can’t have Hillary win the election and along with her being a criminal.
That is the price to pay for a Republican state
The evil president is vengative and a cancer for the country
Vote republican across and under the ballot for republicans
Trump promised, trump will deliver fast and fastest
Our current president is too busy campaigning for Hilary, than caring for our Veterans and soldiers. We need to get the non-caring democrats out and Trump in.
Vote for a draft dodging, bankruptcy loving waste like Trump, NEVER. He wrote in his book “I was out chasing women while other FOOLS enlisted or were drafted during Vietnam.” What a lowlife thing to say. He’s a disgrace to all presently serving and all veteran’s.
Excuse me… Neither of your heroes (draft dodger Hobama) and HilLiary served in the military… HilLiary is a proven treasonous pathological liar who has no loyalty to anyone or anything except for herself.
Attention veterans, After the scandal Senator McCain passed a bill that funds the VA Choice program. The VA mailed a card to all qualified veterans with an 800 number on the back of it. The veteran has a right to call that number if there consult appointment is not met in 30 days. At the time of scheduling, if the veteran is told they can’t get you in before 30 days, the scheduler is suppose to ask the veteran would you like to be referred to “Choice?” If the veteran says yes, the referral is sent to the Secretary of VA’s office and the veteran is called in a couple days and asked which doctor would you like to see in your town. If the veteran does not have one then the choice staff will find them a doctor. They call the city doctors and schedule the veterans appointment. They mail the authorization letter to the veteran with the scheduled appointment. The VA sends a check to that veterans new doctor and VA pays the doctor. Not the veteran. Choice phone number is 1-866-606-8198. This number goes to Washington D.C. to the VA Choice Staff. Veterans if you do not have a Choice healthcare card the staff takes your information and they will mail you a card with a personal healthcare insurance number on it.
Do not give it out. This card was put in place to help veterans get their healthcare. You can than President Obama and Senator McCain and the new Secretary of the VA MacDonald. The new law works. I was sent to a private specialist doctor in my city and under went a $2,000.00 medical exam and results were mailed to me and my VA doctor. VA has done all follow ups since the exam and results. So don’t bash Obama. Call the number I gave you or call the secretary of the Veterans Administration. I am a service-connected veteran. I hope my information helps some veterans. Phoenix is a nasty VA hospital. I know that personally.
It’s not as easy as you make it sound. I know from experience with my husband. It is a good program, though. He didn’t make it through this last time. Oh, could I tell you some horror stories about the VA hospital. It used to be wonderful until seven years ago. The system is totally broken and my husband is dead.
I applied, and used Veterans Choice,it was a disaster, I waited 5 months for a Cortisone shot, 4 months for a Pulmonary exam. In fact Veterans Choice suggested that I go the the emergency room at the VA Hospital ( 100) miles from my home. I know 3 doctors who have dropped out of VA ( VA was late on payments)
Ask any employee of a VA Clinic; about Choice, they just laugh. I suggest that the money going too the Choice group, should be given to the local clinics. Choice does not WORK. The VA system needs an entire staff at the top. The local clinics are doing a great job, they are understaffed.
He just wants to put the military down to zero so his boys can take over the USA
Indeed. Vote for Trump and the whole domestic climate will change. If someone votes for the crocket Hillary nothing will be changed. It will be a disaster for our country. It will be the end of the America supremacy and the open door to Islamization and more corruption.
It is my belief that not only did Obama lie at the outset, he never had any intention of improving the VA at any cost.
There have been do many things he has lied about. Moreover, I believe if Hillary gets in office that she’ll be nothing more than a female ubummer. I’m eighty years old. I can truthfully say that Obama is the worst president we’ve had in my lifetime.
Obama on all existential problems is running the clock.
Seems to me that 1.7 billion dollars, that Obama gave Iran, would go a long way in helping the veterans.lola
Obama is the ultimate Prime Evil and has done all that he can to destroy national pride. He seeks an America in which Americans can and will hate America as much as he does. Obama wants to be the Islam Supreme Leader of the USA and Canada.
It’s disgusting how politicians like Obama and Hillary try to use issues like support for veterans as wedge issues, yet do nothing for vets. Just this past week, Hillary and Joe Biden tried to criticize Trump for making a comment about veterans needing holistic care to deal with medical as well as psychological problems related to conditions such as PTSD. I thought his remarks were appropriate. Yet, here come the ignorant Hillary and Biden to criticize Trump and call him “ignorant” for stating that some veterans are more vulnerable and need extra help. Thank goodness the vet who asked the question defended Trump’s comments and felt they were appropriate. The vet was correct. If the Obama Administration had any concern for vets, they wouldn’t be suffering right now due to the dysfunctional, bureaucratic VA system. I’m in favor of giving vets choices and cleaning house at the VA to get that system in better shape. Our vets deserve better.
Our so called president has been lieing and getting away with it for 8 years and he certainly isn’t going to change now. He’s to busy trying to get his girl friend elected.
The only thing Obama hasn’t lied about is that he said he was going to “Fundamentally Transform America” and he is doing it with help of the Rino’s
Name one Agency/Department that has not operated for the benefit of the tax payer! NONE either by orders from OB or chockiing on Beuracracy!?
And don’t forget he doesn’t lie about his tee time and vacation schedule to his wife being we pay for it
Yeah… ” Fundamentally Transform America” into a Muslim country!!!!!!! That’s what he’s been doing for almost 8 years!!!!!!! It needs to STOP!!!!!!! We will NEVER accept sharia law!!! We are a Constitutional REPUBLIC!!! Don’t believe me…? Then I suggest going back and reading more about American history…. Woops, just remembered, it’s not taught in middle or high school anymore. When I went to school, and I’m 68 now so it’d be about 50 years ago, we learned history, both American and world, along with civics, ENGLISH, reading ( some graduates can only read at 5th-6th grade level these days), and math. Most H. S. graduates these days can’t even write a check or balance a checkbook!!!!!!! Pretty sad state of affairs for a country that spends a fortune on education and is below 35th in the world as to our education ability!!! Very sad ????!
I’m a Viet Nam vet and to think I spent 1 1/2 years over there to have our country in the sad state of affairs that most don’t even know what is in our Constitution!!! We had to know it before going from 8th grade to freshman in H. S. ( For those who can’t figure what that is H. S. =High School)
Sempre Fi
Go Donald!!!!!!!
We see a common thread. Our president is a management is a management moron. Any administration is judged by the performance of those he/she selects. VA?EPA?IRS?. What all have in common is people in charge have failed to do their jobs. Kinda like the president.. A gifted speaker but a horrible manager.
As Hillary will be
PC Presidents like Clinton and Obama have escalated “Normalcy Bias just like history again and again, Hillary has been trained to do the same. Webster’s—Politician: one who conspires for personal gain. Hypocrisy: pretending to be what one is not or feel what one does not—a pretense of virtue.
If Obama EVER told the truth his lips would fall off. He could care less about the VA.
LOL
BULL!! Having been a patient for 45+ years due to injuries sustained at Chu Lai I have seen more improvements the last 71/2 yrs. than I saw the previous 40. The Republican legislators are the ones that continue to vote against bills that would help our veteran’s and the health care system. Thank you President Obama and your fellow Democrats as without you my grandchildren would be missing this proud Paw Paw.
Obumba hates the military. We all know that. He has not told the truth in his misserable life time. Worst human being on earth , along side hitlerly n billy boob.
Time to Impeach
Did anyone actually think that this piece of shit would follow through on anything? He was out for the Muslims, ISIS and any other faction that supported his dumb ass. Ill be so glad that he is gone and hope he never sees the light of government again. He has screwed this country up for one end to another and he has no shame in it. Be gone you jerk!!!
He would rather help Black Lives Matter and Muslims.
He never served a day for this country and he has NO clue what veterans need.
i agree 100%….nicely said! ty
You are exactly spot on ! He Hates Americas Military , and all of us . We have to get a President elected who Respects Our Men and Woman , and Has their back ! Someone who listens to Our Generals , not dictate Bull like he has , and Hitlery has that same Above Them All mentality . VOTE TRUMP/ PENCE
VA needs to be “disbanded” and each Veteran given a card to use at any Healthcare Facility.
The amount of money saved would be phenomenal. No way our elected officials would approve of that idea, as waste is necessary to sustain the debt.
Your hit the nail on the head. That’s exactly what should be done! It’s been many decades since I was in a VA hospital, but I did notice that there were too many “supervisors” in relationship to the “grunts” who actually did the hands on work. I sure hope this situation has improved during the last 46 years? That observation of so many years ago has always stuck with with me.
That is a easy way to take care of this problem, just give us the same card that the Senators and Congressmen have. this would save Billions, but it makes too much sense
Obama is the worst of the worst pos on earth. He has a new stage of his lowest ratings on earth plus all of space. Hope this is the last of his breed we every let survive in this good old world… Never again to allow this to happen…US Army 70-74
AGREED’ US ARMY 1958-1962
God Bless you both for your service.
U. S. Marines 1967-1969
I am a veteran and thank GOD that I have other insurance besides the VA. I go to the VA hospital and deal with doctors that are so over booked it’s hard for them to treat every one they see on a daily basis. For major health issues I go outside the VA.
Back to this obama character, he is NOT and American citizen and was NOT born in the USA……..!
The only thing obama is good at is smoking crack and making beer in the basement of the white house. He could care less about anything to do with American Veterans or any other American for that fact.
TRUMP/PENCE…….2016….!
THE VA HIRED SO MANY NURSES , MOST WERE FROM CAREER CHANGE PROGRAM BY UNEMPLOYMENT TO DEAL WITH OUR FAILING ECONOMY AND CREATE NEW JOBS. HOWEVER, WHAT THE PRESENT ADMINISTRATION DIDN’T DO IS HIRE DOCTORS FOR FAILING HEALTHCARE SYSTEM AT VA HOSPITALS. INSTEAD DEVELOP A PROGRAM CALLED CHOICE AND ALSO HIRED SOME PHYSICIAN’S ASSISTANT WHICH UNDERPAID AND NOT EQUIPPED TO HANDLE THE AGING VET.
CHOICE IS STILL NOT FULLY STAFFED NOR IN IN SYNC WITH SCHEDULING FOR ALL. RETURNING VET WILL ONLY RECENT TWO YEARS OF CARE, UNLESS THEY HAVE A DISABILITY FROM THE SERVICE.
At my local VA facility you’re lucky if you have any appointment with a doctor who can converse with you in English. The Feds and VA are bringing in loads of “doctors” from places like Pakistan, Timbuktu and Bumphuk Egypt who not only don’t know s*** from shinola about medicine, but can’t even discuss medical problems with their veteran patients.
Obama has been lying since he started campaigning and has not stoped yet.
Hos true
Well actually he did what he said… he built the worst military we have ever seen and the worst VA we have ever seen. …equally
HOW DOES IT FEEL OBAMA KNOWING THAT YOUR LEGACY WILL BE THE WORST POTUS IN AMERICAN HISTORY? SINCE YOUR PATHETIC 8 YEARS ARE COMING TO AN END MAY I SUGGEST THAT YOU PACK YOUR BAGS AND TAKE A LONG EXTENDED VACATION WITH YOUR FAMILY.
BACK TO YOUR HOME COUNTRY–KENYA”””’
Doesn’t bother Obama. He’s a narcissist who, in his delusional mind, believes that everything he does or has done is far surperior to what anything any other president can or could do. Do some basic research about how the mind of a narcissist works. It’s a mental abnormality…a mental illness of sorts. Average people mis-interpret the affected personality of a narcissist (who “knows” everything) as “leadership” quality. Unfortunately, that “leadership” quality is seriously lacking in accomplishment. Basically, Obama talks a good talk, and thinks he’s doing good, but accomplishes nothing. However, in his mind he has accomplished what he said he did. He will make false claims proclaiming his accomplishments, because in his affected abnormal mind he really believes what he says. Obama fots right in with the rest of the so-called Liberals, because I believe liberalism IS a mental illness.
O’bozo the “Big Eared” Clown all talk and no action – he needs to be impeached for his non-actions and crimes against we the people and our country.
He has to watch his back. Just saying
When one wants to motivate underlings to act in certain ways, establish a system of rewards for conducting their work in the way desired. VA paid bonuses to designated management personnel who caused false documents to be prepared to commit fraud. Although knowing that the documents were false, the rewards (bonuses) were paid and the underlings who objected were intimidated and often terminated. The only solution at this stage is to terminate VA and return medical treatment for those authorized to receive it to the military service concerned. (I am a Vet authorized to use VA but do not when I have a choice)
I am not surprised. Obama lies on everything he says to the American people. ObamaCare, the economy, unemployment rate, Iran nuclear deal, the illegal Muslims brought to the US, “he police acted stupidly”. “he could be my son”, his hundreds of million dollar squander of our money, the $20 trillion national debts, Benghazi, and so many others.
Obama is not going to do anything about anything. I can not believe his presidency has been nothing but promises along with Hillary. His presidency will go down in history as the worst we Americans have endured. How many more months??? Iam praying Trump will be elected and clean out Washington once and for all.
This guy has spent more time riding on Air force one and playing golf than anything else.
He will never understand the horror of looking at a fellow veteran laying next to you and knowing he will never see his family again.
Your name and Bill Clinton should never be listed as past presidents.
BROTHER IN ARMS
This is because obama is a LYING MUSLUM, TRAITOR,
Obama is that too, and worse.
The WH has instituted their usual treatment of an employee who has failed at a job to move that person to a new and potentially better job as a reward. The Phoenix VA has a new director, a woman who comes from the VA in St. Louis and was part of a debacle regarding poor dental practices…..or so I have read. It will be a relief to finally see a whole bunch of people in this so-called government “fired” when Donald Trump and his team take over in January. I don’t think obama has fired anyone…they just get a better job.
Do you know the game of Musical Chairs? Game players walk around a row of chairs until the music stops, and then everybody sits down. That’s basically how Washinton bureaucracy works. If you’re a whistle blower, you’re the one without a chair to sit on. The people who got to sit down are the kiss asses and go-alongers who only add to the deadwood known as big government.
Hear the latest about the crazy California governor “Moon beam” Brown? He has made it punishable, by law, to be a whistle blower? Californians continue to vote for that nut job. Same thing with Barack Obama. Voters were crazy to vote for him, but they did.
What a revelation! wHO hasn’t he L
IED TO!!!
I was at the RNC and only one running or incumbent that wants to help VET’s is TRUMP! He truely wants to help all Americans to be Great again!!!
Obama the non president. He has spent more time on vacation than any president in history. He might as well be on vacation.he has not done anything except run up the national debt. He will be remembered as the worst president in history.
Well if you want to know the worst in one VA hosp. they have several bodies in bags and did’nt bother to have them moved ,there was one body bag that exploded and all that was in the bag was liquidfied ,I feel bad for the families of these vets who were not even notified of their deaths,now that’s what I call an outrage.
IMPEACH, what are the politicians waiting for. They have enough on him. Worse president in history.
Our fearless leaders will never impeach the first so called black president. They have NO BALLS or are complicit. Most of the bunch need to be voted out. If Trump does not win, we are toast. The hildabeast will make obuttwipe look like a school marm. She is a evil bitch. We will not even recognize our county, well what will be left of it.
Obama has served nothing! No goal higher than himself his entire life. Does anyone believe he cares of those who served this nation with honor, valor and faithfulness? And, Hillary Clinton serves the same God. She serves Hillary Clinton! And, those stupefied Leftist Liberal Democrats screaming for her? She does not give in crap about them. she will keep them in promises just for the election. Screw them, afterwards!
I am a retired VET. with 60% disability ,approx. 8 weeks ago something started going on with the nerves in my legs. I have been in pain and not unable to walk since, its just getting worse. The VA still to this day hasn’t done anything , it is taking 2-3 weeks for the appointments for each test they said they had to do, I will be crippled for the rest of my life or dead before they find out whats wrong. Understand prior to this I was very much outgoing and doing the things I love such as gardening, woodworking, now I can’t even keep up my home repairs and maintenance. I was told by one of the counselors that the VA choice program they came out with was just to appease the public and news media. It took them 3 weeks to even schedule me for a test and I had to drive one and a have hours to another state to do it. It’s totally a joke and the government doesn’t care about vets anymore.
OH NO, the potus been lying again? So, tell me something I do not already know!!
LIED? IMAGINE THAT … THIS RACIST, ANTI-AMERICAN IN CHIEF LIES WHEN HIS LIPS ARE MOVING …
SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO SICK OF HIS VOICE, HIS FACE, AND HIS EGOCENTRIC, NARCISSISTIC PERSONALITY. HOW DOES HE SLEEP AT NIGHT? NO CONSCIENCE WHILE HE RUINS OUR BELOVED COUNTRY.
HILLARY IS BARACK IN A PANTSUIT. PERIOD.
I can’t imagine any veterans even supporting Hillary but if there are (and I hope not) this is exactly what you are going to have continue if you vote her in. She has stated she is very concerned about our troops, well if that were true she would not have stated before that the VA is just fine and she sure as hell would not have ignored 600 plus emails in Benghazi before 4 soldiers lost their lives.
A vote for Hillary is a vote for condoning gov’t corruption and destruction… TRUMP/PENCE 2016
I think not only do we need to impeach but we need the records from occidental college that states he came in on a foreign student visa plus the fact that people of the same class never saw the man. Also bring to lite his authentic birth certificate so can also be deported as an illegal alien. All the illegal trips shall be charged against them an be returned to the treasury plus long stay at a prison operated by SHERRIFF JOE!!!!!!
OBAMA LIES ABOUT EVERYTHING……….HE EVEN LIES ABOUT ACTUALLY LIKING HIL LIAR Y!
He’s worried about getting the refugees here instead ……
Shame on him
Obama loves the vets ~ Supports vets so much more than non citizens ~ NOT!
Obama Cuts 2.6 Billion From Veterans While Allocating 4.5 Billion To Syrian Migrants Moving To America
http://endingthefed.com/obama-cuts-2-6-billion-from-veterans-while-allocating-4-5-billion-to-syrian-migrants-moving-to-america.html
Of course Obama lied. That is what he does. He not only does not care about our veterans, he has nothing but contempt for them. He is still quite active in his last days in office but only on things that will continue to degrade or harm America. As to the VA; we need someone like H. Gene Overstreet as “Secretary of Veterans Affairs”.
Got to get that big eared phony out along with Hillary or we will have more of the same. I don’t know why some of these staunch Democrats can’t see see that, are they blind or just obivious.
I am so very, very afraid that Donald is going to lose. Hillary is being so disgustingly conniving and showing commercials soo much I am sick of them. We live in Florida and they were going to put commercials in the Emergency Broadcasts we got trying to get ready for the hurricane, knowing that we would all be watching the news. Trying to win votes during our worry. Hillary is horrible and she will not be any better to the VA.