Hagel: VA backlog, ‘we missed it’ (Blames Bush, defends Shinseki)

CNN's Political Ticker ^ | May 11, 2014 | Jonathan Helman

[2ndDivisionVet]

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel gave his support to embattled Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki on Sunday as he has come under scrutiny over allegations of deadly delays in health care treatment for veterans.

While Hagel said accountability was paramount, the potential for a backlog treating returning veterans should have been seen.

“I don’t think it just started with General Shinseki’s term at the VA, this is something that should have been looked at years and years ago, so yes, we missed it,” Hagel said on ABC “This Week.”

Shinseki will testify next Thursday before the Senate Committee on Veteran’s Affairs.

Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates also said Sunday more needs to be done immediately to make sure veterans are getting the help they need.

“We can't wait for a congressional investigation and findings and so on. This needs immediate action,” said Gates on CBS “Face the Nation.” “And I'm hopeful that Secretary Shinseki will take that action. And then, as I said, hold people accountable.”(continued)

[Steven Tyler]

Funny that, in Canada’s socialized Health Care, they create wait lists by limiting access to tests and specialists. People die on wait lists.

Bend over, here comes 0bama care

[Wuli]

That’s right, it’s Bush’s fault; as usual.

[Cheerio]

That’s right, it’s Bush’s fault; as usual.

[5th MEB]

Maybe the VA administrators and and their bosses don't care about Vets; but I can tell you from personal experience that the Doctors, Nurses and Technicians cared about us a whole lot, at least in the 80s.
After being soaked for about a 100K in medical bills from supposedly the 2 best neurologists in the state of California and almost being killed by them, my wife finally kicked me in the ass and made me check into the Vets Hospital at Wadsworth.
All I can say is I got the best, most competent treatment in the world there. My Neurosurgeon even called in a consultant from West Germany, the only neurosurgeon in the world who had ever done the procedure that I required to live.
They had to remove a tumor from the 3rd ventricle of my brain. It required that they peel off my scalp and face, cut a 3.5” x 4” opening in my skull, separate the two hemispheres of my brain just to get at the tumor, remove the tumor then put every thing back together. The plate in my head gives me headaches if I don't wear a hat when I am out in the sun on a hot day (finally losing my hair on top) and I set off airport metal detectors. You would get a real laugh out of the TSA idiots when they run the wand around my head, same at the courthouse. The administrators at the VA may be a bunch of asshats, but the medical staff are the greatest.
Every day I thank GOD for Dr. Gadda (yes, that was his name), for the entire medical staff, the Nursing staff and all the rest of the techs and support staff for my life.

[Joe Boucher]

6 + years and still this magic negro and his minions aren’t responsible for ANYTHING?
Quota boy is worthless.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

A CEO is private industry would do exactly that.
Fly down there and clean house !