FW: VVA Web Weekly - What's New on vva.org: October 9, 2014

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Subject: VVA Web Weekly - What's New on vva.org: October 9, 2014
From: webmaster@vva.org
To: vva17nv@outlook.com
Date: Fri, 10 Oct 2014 14:07:34 +0000

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In This Issue October 9, 2014 VA IG Missed Wait Time Scandal for Decade Whistleblowers Say Problems Still Persist at Phoenix VA HVAC Chair's Statement on VA's Proposed Disciplinary Actions VA Deputy Chief Procurement Officer Proposed for Removal VA Moves to Fire Pittsburgh Hospital Director VA Fires Four Executives VA Seeks Nominations for Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses October is Agent Orange Awareness Month As Reported by the Washington Examiner ADVERTISEMENT Support Senate Bill S.2738 and House Bill H.R. 5484 Click Here For More Info & To Take Action VA IG Missed Wait Time Scandal for Decade  According to an October 6 Washington Examiner Watchdog article by Mark Flatten, a decade of investigations confirmed scheduling fraud, but investigators failed to sound the alarm. Read complete story here As Reported by Stars and Stripes Whistleblowers Say Problems Still Persist at Phoenix VA According to an October 6 Stars and Stripes article by Heath Druzin, employees of the beleaguered Phoenix VA health care system say many of the problems that led to a nationwide scandal still plague the system, five months after revelations of patients dying on secret wait lists, falsified data, and a toxic culture. Senior leaders directly implicated in the wrongdoing — and widely blamed for creating a toxic workplace culture — continue to draw their salaries. Read complete story here HVAC Press Release HVAC Chair's Statement on VA's Proposed Disciplinary Actions On October 7, following the VA announcements that it has proposed the removal of four senior executives, one of whom has already retired and no longer works for VA, House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Jeff Miller (R-FL) released the following statement: "Quite simply, any VA administrator who purposely manipulated appointment data, covered up problems, retaliated against whistleblowers, or who was involved in malfeasance that harmed veterans must be fired. Unfortunately, I'm concerned that VA's implementation of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 may be interfering with this concept. By creating an added appeals process in which VA employees are given advance notice of the department's plans to fire them, VA appears to be giving failing executives an opportunity to quit, retire, or find new jobs without consequence – something we have already seen happen in recent weeks. "Right now, it's incumbent on all of VA's external watchdogs — Congress, the press, and the American public — to maintain pressure on the department until those who created VA's problems receive the accountability they are due.This is the only way veterans and families struck by the VA scandal can get the closure they deserve. If any current laws or regulations are impeding the department's ability to swiftly hold employees accountable, VA leaders must work with Congress so those laws and regulations can be changed." VA Press Release VA Deputy Chief Procurement Officer Proposed for Removal On October 6, Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) Sloan Gibson proposed the removal of the Deputy Chief Procurement Officer (DCPO), Veterans Health Administration Procurement & Logistics Office, following an investigation by the VA Office of Inspector General in which allegations of conduct prejudicial to the government were substantiated. The proposed removal of the DCPO underscores VA's commitment to hold leaders accountable and get veterans the care they need. To ensure continuity of service to veterans and leadership for VA employees during this time, Ricky Lemmon, Director, Service Area Office Central, has been designated Acting Deputy Procurement and Logistics Officer. As Reported by the Pittsburgh-Gazette VA Moves to Fire Pittsburgh Hospital Director According to an October 4 Pittsburgh-Gazette article by Sean D. Hamill, for the first time since the Legionnaires' outbreak at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System became known (nearly two years ago), the VA named an employee it plans to discipline for the errors that led to the infection of 22 veterans and the deaths of 6 of them. Read complete story here As Reported by the Associated Press VA Fires Four Executives According to an October 6 Associated Press story by Matthew Daly, the VA announced that it is firing four senior executives as officials move to crack down on wrongdoing following a nationwide scandal over long wait times for veterans seeking medical care and falsified records covering up the delays. Read complete story here ADVERTISEMENT VA Press Release VA Seeks Nominations for Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses The VA announced October 6 that it is seeking nominations of qualified candidates to be considered for appointment to serve as a member of the Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses (RAC). Nominations for membership on the Committee must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. EDT on October 24, 2014. The Federal Register Notice can be found at https://federalregister.gov/a/2014-23661 More information on RAC is available at http://www.va.gov/rac-gwvi/ Agent Orange Awareness October is Agent Orange Awareness Month Download the poster here: 8.5x11 | 11x17 Support The Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2014 Here

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