October 23, 2023
Selnick: Veterans shouldn’t have their health care needs dictated to them by a self-serving VA
I recently read an opinion piece in Task & Purpose on the “grim dangers” of allowing veterans the choice to access community care through their VA benefits. The piece paints a startling, albeit inaccurate, picture of what would potentially happen to veterans if choice legislation were passed. It’s chock full of half-truths, misleading statistics, and… Read more »
October 18, 2023
#VAFail: Pattern of abuse of Montana veterans shows VA reform long overdue
On a per capita basis, Montana has the third-largest veteran population of any U.S. state. At least 10% of residents, about 90,000 people, served in the military. In a state as vast as Big Sky Country, quality care is not always easily accessible, especially for those stuck using only the VA. Montana veterans need health… Read more »
October 13, 2023
#VAFail: Florida Army veteran shares struggles with mental health care at the VA
For many veterans, deployment doesn’t end when they come back home. The brutal memories from service haunt many veterans, leaving them isolated and confused. Access to quality mental health care is critical for veterans’ transition to civilian life. Sadly, Army veteran Brian Fay, a veteran of both Iraq and Afghanistan, struggled when he got home… Read more »
October 6, 2023
#VAFail: VA claims staff quitting in droves. what does that mean for health care?
We talk a lot about the Department of Veterans Affairs failing veterans on the health care side of VA, but there are also failures on the benefits side. The VA was already overwhelmed with a backlog of disability benefits claims before last year when the PACT Act, extending new presumptive benefits to millions of veterans… Read more »
October 3, 2023
Veterans’ take on the second GOP presidential debate
Once again, waiting for Republican presidential candidates to talk about their plans for reforming veterans health care is like waiting for an appointment at the VA – it’s taking way too long. We were hopeful that after the first debate, where we heard nothing but lip service toward veterans, candidates would hear the millions around… Read more »
September 28, 2023
#VAFail: Unacceptable care deficiencies may have resulted in veteran’s suicide at VA facility
Veteran suicide is an epidemic, with an average of at least 17 veterans taking their lives every day. There are questions about whether that is a reliable number, but if anything, it’s likely higher. A particularly tragic part of this epidemic is the scourge of suicides at Veterans Affairs facilities. A 2020 Government Accountability… Read more »
September 22, 2023
Will presidential candidates talk about veterans health care this time around?
In the last GOP presidential debate, candidates neglected to lay out any of their plans for reforming veterans health care. So let’s try this again. We asked more veterans around the country what they want to hear from candidates about better health care and the Department of Veterans Affairs. I’m most concerned about the… Read more »
