March 19, 2024
What to read on the 21st anniversary of the Iraq War
The Iraq War began 21 years ago. Though the Biden administration claims that the combat mission has “ended,” troops are still on the ground in Iraq training Iraqi security forces, a mission that puts their lives in unnecessary danger. The hundreds of attacks U.S. troops have faced in Iraq and across the Middle East since… Read more »
March 5, 2024
Long wait times at the VA? Read this.
We’ve all been there. Veterans who use the Department of Veterans Affairs for their health care are all too familiar with the extensive wait times for medical appointments. Average wait times can be from a few days to a few months for needed care. And even if we’re able to schedule an appointment relatively… Read more »
February 22, 2024
VA gives unacceptable answers for how it’s handling accusations of sexual harassment
The House Veterans Affairs Committee continues its investigation into accusations of sexual harassment at the department and the VA’s failure to adequately investigate those claims. Last fall, several whistleblowers alerted HVAC about alleged sexual harassment by supervisors that had been festering for months in the Office of Resolution Management, Diversity, and Inclusion. HVAC reached out… Read more »
January 30, 2024
VA leader calls community care an ‘easy button,’ urges staff not to use it
Community care is a vital part of the veterans health care system. It mandates an avenue for veterans to get the care in the community they need when they need it, rather than VA-provided care being their only option. But the VA is concerned with its self-preservation and would prefer community care, which Congress directed… Read more »
January 26, 2024
#VAFail: Significant issues found with suicide crisis line, leading to calls for accountability and reform
For more than 15 years, the federal government’s Veterans Crisis Line has been a resource for former military members who need an immediate connection to specially trained mental health responders. While the resource has helped many veterans, it isn’t perfect. And, like many top-down programs with no competition, it can take months or years to… Read more »
January 23, 2024
CVA to Congress: Investigate sexual harassment at VA and restore accountability
The Department of Veterans Affairs has a duty and responsibility to provide needed care and benefits to veterans. But misconduct, harassment, and a lack of accountability consistently get in the way of that mission. The House Veterans Affairs Committee recently voted to subpoena documents regarding sexual harassment in the VA’s Office for Resolution Management, Diversity… Read more »
January 19, 2024
#VAFail: VA denies Vietnam veteran’s claim he was in combat, despite paperwork and injuries
In a time when the Vietnam War was raging, and many Americans were taking out their anger on the fighters rather than the war, it would have been easy to stay home. But Frank Lagana was a faithful Marine who didn’t shy away from a fight. Decades later, when he reached out to the VA… Read more »
