Eric Shinseki, "mad as hell" over VA scandal, is grilled by senators

[unhappycamper]

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2014/05/15/3197217/eric-shinseki-mad-as-hell-over.html?sp=/99/296/331/354/



Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki is sworn in on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, May 15, 2014, prior to testify before the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee hearing to examine the state of Veterans Affairs health care.

Eric Shinseki, "mad as hell" over VA scandal, is grilled by senators
By LISA MASCARO
Los Angeles Times May 15, 2014 Updated 13 hours ago

Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shineski said Thursday he's "mad as hell" over allegations of wrongdoing at VA facilities, but his measured approach to fixing the problems did not appear to satisfy senators from both parties who grilled the retired Army general over excessive wait times linked to veterans' deaths.

As the crisis at the VA deepens, President Obama installed one of his top deputies at the beleaguered department as calls grew for Shinseki's resignation.

One Democratic senator suggested potential criminal wrongdoing amid claims that VA workers manipulated the appointments system to cover up excessive wait times, and said the FBI should be brought in to supplement a review underway by the VA inspector general.

Shinseki sought patience from the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee as he awaits the review into as many as 40 deaths that may have resulted from long waits for treatment at the Phoenix VA facility and other problems in as many as 10 cities nationwide. He showed no sign of stepping down.

[underpants]

1. I caught a bit of coverage on this toad and not once was there a mention about demand

As in the demand on the system. How are there sooo many Veterans now?? Oh yeah the war that was completely unneeded.

To this day we get a catalogued of supposed failures of, let's say, Pres. Carter but we can't be allowed to go back just 13 years and remember the unneeded war, the obvious to anyone other than Dick/Rummy/W (in that order) of the strain that would put on the VA system, and the complete lack of coverage of this until now.

This shouldn't be seen as an excuse but this didn't just start 5 years ago.

[pinboy3niner]

2. Top VA health official departs under fire (2nd in command, due to retire anyway)

Rob O'Dell and Dan Nowicki, The Arizona Republic 6:17 p.m. EDT May 16, 2014

The second in command at the Department of Veterans Affairs left Friday amid growing controversy over patient wait times and allegations of falsification of records.

However, the departure of Dr. Robert Petzel, the VA's undersecretary for health, almost immediately created a new controversy: VA Secretary Eric Shinseki said Petzel resigned, but congressional critics said he had announced his 2014 retirement in September.

Petzel left just a day after he had joined Shinseki in a contentious hearing before the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee.

"Today's announcement from the VA regarding Undersecretary for Health Robert Petzel's 'resignation' is the pinnacle of disingenuous political doublespeak," Chairman Jeff Miller of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, said in a statement. "Petzel was already scheduled to retire in 2014 and President Obama has already announced his intention to nominate Petzel's replacement, so characterizing this as a 'resignation' just doesn't pass the smell test."

http://www.usatoday.com/news/