Page 4 - Va Needs News Today

He has worked hard to investigate and identify the problems with access to care is, but as he told me this morning, the va needs new leadership to address them. he does not want to be a distraction because his priority is to fix the problem and make sure our vets are getting the care they need. that was ricks judgment on behalf of his fellow veterans. and i agree, we dont have time for distractions. we need to fix the problem. >> fixing the problem, update now on breaking news, va secretary eric...

The now long embattled, it seems, secretary of veterans affairs. he is the highest ranking of several people in leadership roles at the va who are out as of today. the president spoke just a short time ago about it. >> i am grateful for his service, as are many veterans across the country. he has worked hard to investigate and identify the problems with access to care, but as he told me this morning, the va needs new leadership to address it. he does not want to be a distraction because his prio...

Problem they need to fix it. itch there is a problem? four years ago the va inspector general failed the office in 13 of 14 areas. now some senators are blocking bipartisan legislation to shake up the va and enforce accountability. tell senator begich when veterans are dying it is a problem. >> first of all, the ad is a karl rove special. i get a kick out of the republicans when they carry on. here is pat toomey, not a bad guy. he believes that -- they need to pass a bill allowing veterans to su...

Itch there is a problem? four years ago the va inspector general failed the office in 13 of 14 areas. now some senators are blocking bipartisan legislation to shake up the va and enforce accountability. tell senator begich when veterans are dying it is a problem. >> first of all, the ad is a karl rove special. i get a kick out of the republicans when they carry on. here is pat toomey, not a bad guy. he believes that -- they need to pass a bill allowing veterans to sue. when do republicans want a...

Outraged and insisting whatevers going on at the va needs to be remedied. >> we are going to fix whatever is wrong. and so long as i have the privilege as serving as commander in chief, im going to keep on fighting to deliver the care and the benefits and the opportunities that your families deserve, now and for decades to come. that is a commitment to which i feel the sacred duty to maintain. >> the president also said someone will be held accountable, but hes standing behind secretary shinseki...

Now being audited as part of this investigation. in portland, oregon, va officials say tens of thousands of appointment requests took more than 14 days to fill. and the va in seattle is now facing a lawsuit from a family who says delays in scheduling surgery contributed to the cancer death of a vietnam-era veteran. the president called veterans affairs secretary eric shinseki to the white house and demanded answers, saying hes outraged and insisting whatevers going on at the va needs to be remed...

Dollar new computer system designed to improve efficiency at the va 97 percent of all of the claims are still filed on paper. two veterans affairs offices in virginia and north carolina are facing structural damage to their facilities over burdened by the weight of the paper claims. the budget increased more than 40 percent over the last 4 years to $140 million. its budget is second only to that of the department of defense. the presidents secretary of veterans affairs retired gener the american...

One in four veterans wait more than a month to see a doctor. that means during the course of the year, as many as a million veterans may be waiting more than a year to see a doctor. thats wrong. thats unacceptable. >> it is wrong. it is unacceptable and outrageous. if my guess is, if i were to ask you what is the worst case scenario here, youre probably going to tell me suicide. >> yes. im going to tell you suicide. its tragic. just last week i spoke with a suicidal veteran who was denied care i...

Resignation and announced the decision after a meeting with shinseki at the white house. >> a few minutes ago eric shinseki offered me his own resignation. with considerable regret, i accepted. he worked hard to investigate and identify the problems with access to care but as he told me this morning, the va needs new leadership to address them. he does not want to be a distraction because his priority is to fix the problem and make sure our vets are getting the care they need. that was ricks jud...

Organize and provide the funds in order for all of the stuff to make what happens happen. and at the end of the day, this is a long-term problem thats not going to be solved by replacing one or a dozen people. >> in fact, general shinseki was out at the veterans organization today and thats where he first acknowledged -- apologized deeply and acknowledged how widespread the problem is. let me play that for you. >> i cant explain the lack of integrity amongst some of the leaders of our health car...