Not only hasn't he fired anyone, but he is giving them 5 days to quit and retire, before they are fired. And when they retire, they get full benefits, which includes medical. Sounds typical government to me. Wish I could get a sweetheart deal like that.
Submitted by Kevin Morrissey (not verified) : Oct 17, 2014 8:26pm
It's all just talk, I will belive it when I see it. I'm still waiting on my NODS that was filled back in Jan. He is blowing smoke so he can keep his job. A real vet needs to take charge and fire all those who have never been in uniform and give the vets their jobs.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) : Oct 16, 2014 3:00pm
THIS IS JUST ANOTHER GROUP OF "GOOD OL'E BOYS". THAT WILL PACK THE DEPT. WITH THEIR FRIENDS! THIS CAN NOT BE A QUICK FIX PROJECT, AND WILL REQUIRE REAL PROBLEM SOLVERS OVER A LONG TIME PERIOD. THE VA HAS LOST SOME RESPECT, BUT IT CAN BE REGAINED AND BECOME THE HAVEN IT SHUOLD BE AND ONCE WAS.
Submitted by RONALD H TERRELL (not verified) : Oct 16, 2014 3:01pm
Many years ago I tried to get a job with the VA, but they wouldn't hire me because my only training was in the Navy. A civilian hospital did hire me with that training however.
Submitted by Ken Graalum (not verified) : Oct 16, 2014 5:08pm
Like most government flacks (including the mendacious chief of the CDC telling lies about Ebola and the CDC's bungling and the failure of our Dear Rulers to stop travel between Ebola-ravaged African states and the U.S.), this VA guy's mostly lying or telling half-truths. Fact is, 99% of VA employees are still eligible for bonuses - you try getting that kind of gold-plated extra out in the real world!
Submitted by Jordynne Olivia Lobo (not verified) : Oct 16, 2014 3:18pm
As a 100% disabled vet, I am tired of coming behind illegals and welfare slugs when it comes to money .Now the pentagon wants to reduce pay and benefits. Why don't they stop the 336 billion to illegals every yr and reducing welfare never comes up,
Submitted by Michael Byokawski (not verified) : Oct 16, 2014 3:20pm
Terrific suggestion, Michael. However, I'm afraid the politicians are much too worried about being politically correct, and not offending anyone for this to ever happen. But wouldn't it be great if we had some politicians with some guts to do the right thing? I have always believed that there is sufficient money, it is just so mismanaged.When will Americans start looking after their own first before shelling out so much to others? Answer: Probably not in my lifetime
Submitted by James P. Scott (not verified) : Oct 20, 2014 7:29am
If he is firing people it isn't fast enough or visible enough. Additionally I think it is only symbolic. The VA needs to be rebuilt not just renovated. The system is broken and applying fixes only puts bandaids on a broken system.
Submitted by G Crystal (not verified) : Oct 16, 2014 4:09pm
NOTHING HAS CHANGED WITH ME.WAIT TIME STILL TOO LONG.I GET EXCUSES,INSTEAD OF PROPER CARE.THE DOCTOR I CANT SEEM TO GET RID OF,STILL DOESNT UNDERSTAND,OR DOESN"T CARE OF THE "ORIGIN"OR "SEVERITY"OF MY NERVE DAMAGE,AND PAIN TO MY TESTICLES.HE CALLS ME A "LIAR"AND TELLS ME,HE"S NEVER HEARD OF WHAT HE READS IN MY RECORDS.HE REFUSES TO GIVE ME PROPER,AND SPECIFIC MEDICAL CARE.THIS HAS BEEN A BATTLE FOR ME THIS WHOLE YEAR.AND HE HAS FALSEIFIED MY MEDICAL RECORDS,NOT TELLING THE TRUTH OF MY LAST APP.WITH HIM.HE LIED.CAN"T SEEM TO FIND ANYONE IN THE VA TO HELP ME."FRUSTRATED" AND IN SEVERE PAIN. STEVEN B. TUCKER,BAXTER TN.
Submitted by STEVEN B.TUCKER (not verified) : Oct 16, 2014 4:23pm
Have you ever talked to the Patient Advocate's Office about your Doctor? You can request another Doctor, you do not have to be seen by that Doctor. If you have problem with your Doctor, the first place to start is to file a report with the Patient Advocate's Office.
Submitted by Marine Vet. (not verified) : Oct 17, 2014 8:15am
the patient advocates I have dealt with are a bunch of cover your ass puppets for the rest of the unprofessinal staffs running our hospitals. We need a professional ethics officer, independent of hospital staff to address patient abuse issues.
Submitted by sergio noble (not verified) : Oct 20, 2014 3:10pm
They have inside VAMC ethics committee supposedly, if patient has been abused you will not get that consult even approved or denied because they need to hide what went on and what will go on in future. They are aware of inside if they continue to tell, continue to abuse. Its like they have a secret organization inside a organization. And the professional employees who do care give up from pressure, and fear of losing their job. So the poisonous venom is there. I appreciate new VA secretary, he does not know what he is up against. They are already speaking of suing and getting new law overturned. The trash employees will buck to the end. They are comfortable with power they have, so during this transition of accountability, which probably will not happen. If you are one who stood against them and told. Stay clear cause they are going to buck. They have no honor or integrity. I watched a new director come to a med ctr. and wanted change immediately. Wow, they bucked they became worse from the operators all the way up. During that time, events of who told would be sent to middle eastern Dr. exams and be abused humiliated, and operators when calling for advocate make jokes about what happened in exam rooms. Tell me these behaviors are not organized, then transfer to another and they get you there. So those of you who have received good care, great but get with it, it is not true that is the case for all. And when they are caught they transfer out of state and happily go on with bonus and retirement. OIG has no power, Secretary will not be able to fix that mess. If it is ever fixed it will have to come from the decent employees knowing it goes on, and they do to stand together as those who stand together who are organized in committing malpractice, abuse, committing felonies and so on. It is time you employees take a stand, form your own organization inside the organization and say not in my workplace. We do not care what position you may hold, not in my workplace. In the meantime the Secretary has to show he means business, let some heads role out that door with no benefits. And keep those videos of veterans kissing azz out, because it is and insult to those dead or living that became expendable. Do not be afraid of the executive powers, you do not have to if you stand together employees, they have new laws that will remove them for playing hide the truth. Otherwise get rid of government run medical care for good. You know what has and is going on.
Submitted by mahl (not verified) : Nov 15, 2014 10:46am
The speed he is firing is not the answer! We still need to make sure they are so short staffed that service is degraded! I proposed to my representative in congress we replace the problem people with veterans from the medical corps. They are already trained in basic if not advanced medical fields! This solves many problems such as veterans who need employment and who else knows the veterans needs than former military people! Another issue that is not being addressed is the lack of cooperation between local medical facilities and the VA.
In the meantime veterans should be able to get treatment at any medical facility in their locality!
Submitted by Kanarvey (not verified) : Oct 16, 2014 5:53pm
First, thanks American Legion and my fellow Veterans. These two MUST be combined to get accurate feedback on what we as veterans feel and know: "The firings are occurring too slowly and it’s largely a symbolic move that fails to fix the major problems within the VA"! Even if firings occur, the devastating culture remains and it's highly possible that culture is manipulated outside the VA! I state this because when the question is proposed, how can the same format of failure within the VA medical system be induced over such a broad geographic area (entire U.S.)and be ignored or squelched for such a long period of time, until exposure by the media? It's my belief firing a few will NOT solve the problem.
Submitted by FedVet (not verified) : Oct 17, 2014 6:18pm
According to the VA I am a totally and permanently disabled veteran, entitled to total healthcare. On July 8th it was decided that I needed new dentures. I have had three appointments, the next is on Nov. 4th. My dentures will still not be ready. On the outside I could have them in two days. By the time I get my new dentures it will have taken more than six months. Great care we get.
Submitted by Roland Hutchinson (not verified) : Oct 17, 2014 7:32pm
First of all how does the Director ID "problem" employees? Immediate supervisors can gloss over incompetence and the problem still exists. Reorganize and eliminate management levels, hire additional Dr.'s, nurses, Nurse Practitioners, and eliminate middle management positions. Set a distance limit for vets residences from the VA hospital, if the vets residence lies beyond that distance have contracts issued with a closer civilian hospital or clinic. The prior VA was run by a retired military officer but the civilian beauacracy is currently unmanageable and needs to be streamlined.
Submitted by Don W. (not verified) : Oct 20, 2014 2:01am
First of all how does the Director ID "problem" employees? Immediate supervisors can gloss over incompetence and the problem still exists. Reorganize and eliminate management levels, hire additional Dr.'s, nurses, Nurse Practitioners, and eliminate middle management positions. Set a distance limit for vets residences from the VA hospital, if the vets residence lies beyond that distance have contracts issued with a closer civilian hospital or clinic. The prior VA was run by a retired military officer but the civilian beauacracy is currently unmanageable and needs to be streamlined.
Submitted by Don W. (not verified) : Oct 20, 2014 2:03am
Fundamentally, I believe the VA system is good. The problem with the WHOLE federal civil service system is that there is VERY LITTLE threat of ever losing your job for any reason short of conducting a crime. Even then it is "iffy". This is not right and it creates a system where the good workers (and there are many) have to suffer the reputation created by the bad workers--and, to add insult to injury, the good workers usually end up carrying the bad worker's workload on top of that!!! Do you think for one second a Kaiser Permanente, Amazon, UPS or any other high performing company would still be discussing the management actions given the potential loss of customers their employees would cause by this type of shoddy work performance? The answer is NO!! Those companies would not tolerate it. The Fed is a "no-fault" organization made up of 20% or so employees whose work ethic would not allow them to succeed in the private sector. They screw up and it's nobody's fault. Until the OPM revamps the system, Americans will never have a chance in seeing across-the-board improved performance by federal employees. There is no motivation unless you happen upon one of those civil service employees who were taught a high performing work ethic by their parents or created their own high performing work ethic. Until then just prepare yourselves for the fact that you will continue to see our tax dollars spent to pay some very non-productive people a very, very good wage and benefits package.
Submitted by Dave G. (not verified) : Oct 21, 2014 12:38pm
Firing people is not symbolic, it's real. He needs A CHANCE TO GET IT RIGHT. The V A has been full of corruption for years and it will take time to straighten it out. It can be done. We will see if he can do it without any interference from Barry.
Submitted by Jim R. (not verified) : Oct 21, 2014 4:37pm
I'm 100% service connected, permanently and totally, disabled. Having said that, I go on to agree with Sergio Noble. I have never gotten any satisfaction in dealing with a "Patient Advocate". If they know anything at all about their jobs they're sure keeping it a secret from me.
Submitted by Thomas S Klinge... (not verified) : Nov 6, 2014 6:56pm
Comments
If he is moving fast, then
If he is moving fast, then why are so many being given time so they can retire. Those that have shafted the vets should get no retirement!
I agree 100% they screwed us
I agree 100% they screwed us and an eye for and eye.
Not only hasn't he fired
Not only hasn't he fired anyone, but he is giving them 5 days to quit and retire, before they are fired. And when they retire, they get full benefits, which includes medical. Sounds typical government to me. Wish I could get a sweetheart deal like that.
It's all just talk, I will
It's all just talk, I will belive it when I see it. I'm still waiting on my NODS that was filled back in Jan. He is blowing smoke so he can keep his job. A real vet needs to take charge and fire all those who have never been in uniform and give the vets their jobs.
THIS IS JUST ANOTHER GROUP OF
THIS IS JUST ANOTHER GROUP OF "GOOD OL'E BOYS". THAT WILL PACK THE DEPT. WITH THEIR FRIENDS! THIS CAN NOT BE A QUICK FIX PROJECT, AND WILL REQUIRE REAL PROBLEM SOLVERS OVER A LONG TIME PERIOD. THE VA HAS LOST SOME RESPECT, BUT IT CAN BE REGAINED AND BECOME THE HAVEN IT SHUOLD BE AND ONCE WAS.
Why should we believe him now
Why should we believe him now?
some are allowed to RETIRE!
some are allowed to RETIRE!
The VA should be run by
The VA should be run by Veterans, not damn politicans
Many years ago I tried to get
Many years ago I tried to get a job with the VA, but they wouldn't hire me because my only training was in the Navy. A civilian hospital did hire me with that training however.
Like most government flacks
Like most government flacks (including the mendacious chief of the CDC telling lies about Ebola and the CDC's bungling and the failure of our Dear Rulers to stop travel between Ebola-ravaged African states and the U.S.), this VA guy's mostly lying or telling half-truths. Fact is, 99% of VA employees are still eligible for bonuses - you try getting that kind of gold-plated extra out in the real world!
As a 100% disabled vet, I am
As a 100% disabled vet, I am tired of coming behind illegals and welfare slugs when it comes to money .Now the pentagon wants to reduce pay and benefits. Why don't they stop the 336 billion to illegals every yr and reducing welfare never comes up,
Terrific suggestion, Michael.
Terrific suggestion, Michael. However, I'm afraid the politicians are much too worried about being politically correct, and not offending anyone for this to ever happen. But wouldn't it be great if we had some politicians with some guts to do the right thing? I have always believed that there is sufficient money, it is just so mismanaged.When will Americans start looking after their own first before shelling out so much to others? Answer: Probably not in my lifetime
This statement is definitely
This statement is definitely mendacious just as are all other statements of this shabby administration's officials.
If he is firing people it isn
If he is firing people it isn't fast enough or visible enough. Additionally I think it is only symbolic. The VA needs to be rebuilt not just renovated. The system is broken and applying fixes only puts bandaids on a broken system.
NOTHING HAS CHANGED WITH ME
NOTHING HAS CHANGED WITH ME.WAIT TIME STILL TOO LONG.I GET EXCUSES,INSTEAD OF PROPER CARE.THE DOCTOR I CANT SEEM TO GET RID OF,STILL DOESNT UNDERSTAND,OR DOESN"T CARE OF THE "ORIGIN"OR "SEVERITY"OF MY NERVE DAMAGE,AND PAIN TO MY TESTICLES.HE CALLS ME A "LIAR"AND TELLS ME,HE"S NEVER HEARD OF WHAT HE READS IN MY RECORDS.HE REFUSES TO GIVE ME PROPER,AND SPECIFIC MEDICAL CARE.THIS HAS BEEN A BATTLE FOR ME THIS WHOLE YEAR.AND HE HAS FALSEIFIED MY MEDICAL RECORDS,NOT TELLING THE TRUTH OF MY LAST APP.WITH HIM.HE LIED.CAN"T SEEM TO FIND ANYONE IN THE VA TO HELP ME."FRUSTRATED" AND IN SEVERE PAIN. STEVEN B. TUCKER,BAXTER TN.
Have you ever talked to the
Have you ever talked to the Patient Advocate's Office about your Doctor? You can request another Doctor, you do not have to be seen by that Doctor. If you have problem with your Doctor, the first place to start is to file a report with the Patient Advocate's Office.
the patient advocates I have
the patient advocates I have dealt with are a bunch of cover your ass puppets for the rest of the unprofessinal staffs running our hospitals. We need a professional ethics officer, independent of hospital staff to address patient abuse issues.
They have inside VAMC ethics
They have inside VAMC ethics committee supposedly, if patient has been abused you will not get that consult even approved or denied because they need to hide what went on and what will go on in future. They are aware of inside if they continue to tell, continue to abuse. Its like they have a secret organization inside a organization. And the professional employees who do care give up from pressure, and fear of losing their job. So the poisonous venom is there. I appreciate new VA secretary, he does not know what he is up against. They are already speaking of suing and getting new law overturned. The trash employees will buck to the end. They are comfortable with power they have, so during this transition of accountability, which probably will not happen. If you are one who stood against them and told. Stay clear cause they are going to buck. They have no honor or integrity. I watched a new director come to a med ctr. and wanted change immediately. Wow, they bucked they became worse from the operators all the way up. During that time, events of who told would be sent to middle eastern Dr. exams and be abused humiliated, and operators when calling for advocate make jokes about what happened in exam rooms. Tell me these behaviors are not organized, then transfer to another and they get you there. So those of you who have received good care, great but get with it, it is not true that is the case for all. And when they are caught they transfer out of state and happily go on with bonus and retirement. OIG has no power, Secretary will not be able to fix that mess. If it is ever fixed it will have to come from the decent employees knowing it goes on, and they do to stand together as those who stand together who are organized in committing malpractice, abuse, committing felonies and so on. It is time you employees take a stand, form your own organization inside the organization and say not in my workplace. We do not care what position you may hold, not in my workplace. In the meantime the Secretary has to show he means business, let some heads role out that door with no benefits. And keep those videos of veterans kissing azz out, because it is and insult to those dead or living that became expendable. Do not be afraid of the executive powers, you do not have to if you stand together employees, they have new laws that will remove them for playing hide the truth. Otherwise get rid of government run medical care for good. You know what has and is going on.
The speed he is firing is not
The speed he is firing is not the answer! We still need to make sure they are so short staffed that service is degraded! I proposed to my representative in congress we replace the problem people with veterans from the medical corps. They are already trained in basic if not advanced medical fields! This solves many problems such as veterans who need employment and who else knows the veterans needs than former military people! Another issue that is not being addressed is the lack of cooperation between local medical facilities and the VA.
In the meantime veterans should be able to get treatment at any medical facility in their locality!
Like all other government
Like all other government Bureaucrats, he's lying.
have to agree with all above
have to agree with all above comments. I just received my serving of bullshit from Dr. Davis at SAVAHCS
Maybe the VA needs to hire
Maybe the VA needs to hire Freidman from the CDC and Schneider from NBC!
First, thanks American Legion
First, thanks American Legion and my fellow Veterans. These two MUST be combined to get accurate feedback on what we as veterans feel and know: "The firings are occurring too slowly and it’s largely a symbolic move that fails to fix the major problems within the VA"! Even if firings occur, the devastating culture remains and it's highly possible that culture is manipulated outside the VA! I state this because when the question is proposed, how can the same format of failure within the VA medical system be induced over such a broad geographic area (entire U.S.)and be ignored or squelched for such a long period of time, until exposure by the media? It's my belief firing a few will NOT solve the problem.
According to the VA I am a
According to the VA I am a totally and permanently disabled veteran, entitled to total healthcare. On July 8th it was decided that I needed new dentures. I have had three appointments, the next is on Nov. 4th. My dentures will still not be ready. On the outside I could have them in two days. By the time I get my new dentures it will have taken more than six months. Great care we get.
First of all how does the
First of all how does the Director ID "problem" employees? Immediate supervisors can gloss over incompetence and the problem still exists. Reorganize and eliminate management levels, hire additional Dr.'s, nurses, Nurse Practitioners, and eliminate middle management positions. Set a distance limit for vets residences from the VA hospital, if the vets residence lies beyond that distance have contracts issued with a closer civilian hospital or clinic. The prior VA was run by a retired military officer but the civilian beauacracy is currently unmanageable and needs to be streamlined.
First of all how does the
First of all how does the Director ID "problem" employees? Immediate supervisors can gloss over incompetence and the problem still exists. Reorganize and eliminate management levels, hire additional Dr.'s, nurses, Nurse Practitioners, and eliminate middle management positions. Set a distance limit for vets residences from the VA hospital, if the vets residence lies beyond that distance have contracts issued with a closer civilian hospital or clinic. The prior VA was run by a retired military officer but the civilian beauacracy is currently unmanageable and needs to be streamlined.
Fundamentally, I believe the
Fundamentally, I believe the VA system is good. The problem with the WHOLE federal civil service system is that there is VERY LITTLE threat of ever losing your job for any reason short of conducting a crime. Even then it is "iffy". This is not right and it creates a system where the good workers (and there are many) have to suffer the reputation created by the bad workers--and, to add insult to injury, the good workers usually end up carrying the bad worker's workload on top of that!!! Do you think for one second a Kaiser Permanente, Amazon, UPS or any other high performing company would still be discussing the management actions given the potential loss of customers their employees would cause by this type of shoddy work performance? The answer is NO!! Those companies would not tolerate it. The Fed is a "no-fault" organization made up of 20% or so employees whose work ethic would not allow them to succeed in the private sector. They screw up and it's nobody's fault. Until the OPM revamps the system, Americans will never have a chance in seeing across-the-board improved performance by federal employees. There is no motivation unless you happen upon one of those civil service employees who were taught a high performing work ethic by their parents or created their own high performing work ethic. Until then just prepare yourselves for the fact that you will continue to see our tax dollars spent to pay some very non-productive people a very, very good wage and benefits package.
Firing people is not symbolic
Firing people is not symbolic, it's real. He needs A CHANCE TO GET IT RIGHT. The V A has been full of corruption for years and it will take time to straighten it out. It can be done. We will see if he can do it without any interference from Barry.
I'm 100% service connected,
I'm 100% service connected, permanently and totally, disabled. Having said that, I go on to agree with Sergio Noble. I have never gotten any satisfaction in dealing with a "Patient Advocate". If they know anything at all about their jobs they're sure keeping it a secret from me.