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Author: TriSec    Date: 03/07/2017 11:01:33

Good Morning.

Got a few things going on today, perhaps linked, perhaps not.


We'll start today in Virginia and North Carolina. It's come out recently that VA centers in those states have been inaccurately reporting wait times for certain appointments. While we all have to wait for an appointment sometimes, it's important for veterans - if their local VA can't provide timely services, they are then entitled to go to the private sector for the same care if it can be provided quicker. But without accurate data, they cannot do so.


WASHINGTON — A review of a dozen Veterans Affairs medical facilities in North Carolina and Virginia identified widespread inaccuracies that vastly understated veteran wait times for appointments last year, leading the VA inspector general to conclude that VA scheduling data is still unreliable and a “high-risk” area for the agency.

The miscalculations, outlined in an inspector general report issued Thursday, masked actual demand for care and precluded veterans from getting private sector treatment, which they are supposed to be able to get if they have to wait longer than a month for a VA appointment.

The inspector general looked at primary and mental health care appointments for new patients and referrals for specialists and found that overall, 36% had to wait longer than a month for an appointment, but the VA scheduling system said only 10% had waited that long.

The report estimated that as many as 13,800 veterans should have been able to get VA-sponsored care in the private sector because of their long waits, but the VA never added them to lists authorizing them to receive outside care under the so-called Choice program.

VA staffers entered the wrong dates in the scheduling system in some cases and didn’t follow up on appointment requests in a timely way in others. In a few cases, medical center directors or other supervisory staff disagreed with national guidelines designed to ensure veterans see specialists within a time frame dictated by their referring doctor. So they just didn’t require staff to follow them.

The inspector general also reviewed records of veteran patients who were added to Choice lists and managed to get appointments outside the VA. Auditors found that 82% of them waited longer than 30 days, and on average, they waited nearly three months.


Because the stories came out within a few days of each other, they could possibly be linked in my mind - but thus far I'm the only one making the connection here. A veteran in Durham, NC killed himself in a VA parking garage, apparently because he spent the last two years attempting to get full disability - which was recently denied by the VA. But perhaps the bigger scandal is that he wasn't found for six days.


DURHAM, N.C. — Paul Shuping, a 63-year-old Navy veteran, parked his car at the Durham VA Medical Center on Feb. 15 and then used an old family .22-caliber rifle to end his life.

Shuping, who is among the estimated 20 veterans who commit suicide each day in the U.S., wasn't discovered dead in the parking garage for six days.

"I was devastated. We were all devastated when we heard what happened," said Dr. Terry Morris, who became friends with Shuping after her nonprofit, Vets to Vets, matched him with service dogs. "He seemed like he was thriving, and certain events happened recently that kind of took him in a downward spiral."

James Alston of the Triangle Veterans Outreach Center helped guide Shuping through the red tape at the Department of Veterans Affairs for partial disability benefits, which took two years to obtain. The VA's recent decision to deny Shuping full benefits set him off, Alston said.

"His biggest concern when he came in was financial," he said, adding that he thinks Shuping picked the VA hospital's parking garage for his final act for a reason.

"I really think he was trying to send a message for all veterans who are crying out for help," he said.

Donald Shuping said he also believes the VA's benefits process played a role in his brother's suicide, but he doesn't blame the Durham VA hospital.

"To the VA's benefit, I think he received excellent care," Donald Shuping said.

Sharonda Pearson, a spokeswoman for the Durham VA, didn't discuss why the hospital's police officers didn't discover Paul Shuping earlier, saying only that he found inside his car "during one of our many daily patrols."

"The loss of one veteran by suicide is one loss too many," Pearson said in a statement. "This veteran volunteered many hours to our animal therapy program and was well known and beloved by Durham VA staff."


You could maybe make a claim that the new administration has actually taken notice of some things. The new VA Secretary recently had a press conference of sorts, and he's been promising that "The President demands major changes". What changes he's demanding aren't clear, because none of it has actually been articulated.


WASHINGTON — Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin on Friday promised major changes were coming to the agency, saying President Donald Trump expects it.

“We’re going to be looking for some major changes, to really reevaluate how we do things,” Shulkin said during a live, online question-and-answer podcast with veterans. “If you look at the president’s 10-point plan, he’s not looking for minor changes. The reason why I feel I got a 100-0 [confirmation] vote from the Senate is because there’s one thing the country agrees on -- that our vets deserve better than what they’re getting now.”

However, he did not offer veterans specifics about how he would change the department, only calling it a “modernizing of our system.”

Part of the change will include the Veterans Choice Program, which Shulkin said he wanted to “redesign” this year.

The program allows some veterans to receive care in the private sector with the VA paying the bill, but many veterans have criticized it as complex and confusing.

The Veterans Choice Program is set to expire in August. Shulkin said Friday he’s working with Trump and lawmakers to propose changes to the program, though no details were offered.

He’s previously deflected claims of “privatization.”

In Trump’s 10-point plan for VA reform, which was introduced during his campaign, the president said he wanted to allow all veterans the option to seek care in the private sector. Some veterans organizations have voiced concerns and contend paying more for veterans to seek outside care could diminish resources at VA facilities.

Scott Blackburn, who was named Friday as Shulkin’s acting deputy secretary, said the VA would “buckle down” and “get more disciplined.” Blackburn previously led former VA Secretary Bob McDonald’s VA transformation initiative, “MyVA.”

“The president wants to do some really big things,” Blackburn said Friday. “We still have a long way to go.”


I'm sure it's going to be great.



 
 

35 comments (Latest Comment: 03/08/2017 00:23:08 by BobR)
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Comment by wickedpam on 03/07/2017 14:12:10
Morning

Comment by TriSec on 03/07/2017 14:34:13
Ya know, ol' GW used to make me mad.

Mr. Trump is having a different effect - I'm just sad and tired all the time.



Comment by Mondobubba on 03/07/2017 14:49:54
Quote by TriSec:
Ya know, ol' GW used to make me mad.

Mr. Trump is having a different effect - I'm just sad and tired all the time.



Trump is exhausting.

Comment by Scoopster on 03/07/2017 14:51:24
Comment by Scoopster on 03/07/2017 14:55:32



Comment by Raine on 03/07/2017 15:04:54
good morning!

Comment by Raine on 03/07/2017 15:05:18
Quote by Scoopster:


One of my fave follows on twitter --



Comment by Raine on 03/07/2017 15:07:21

I don't see how this is any more leagal hat the first attempt.

Comment by Raine on 03/07/2017 15:09:48
Comment by wickedpam on 03/07/2017 15:13:40



At that point, to me, wikileaks and ASSange are nothing but enemy's of the US. We are not angels but there are countries doing far worse then us and they are silent about it.

Comment by Raine on 03/07/2017 15:16:54
This is nuts.

But it’s time now to focus not only on Trump and his psyche (although just quickly, before I turn away from that topic, I have to note that the most plausible theory I heard all weekend about why Trump did what he did was the hypothesis that he was miffed that the Obamas got that joint $65 million book advance; that’s just so Trump in every way).


Comment by Raine on 03/07/2017 15:17:29
Quote by wickedpam:



At that point, to me, wikileaks and ASSange are nothing but enemy's of the US. We are not angels but there are countries doing far worse then us and they are silent about it.
Doing the work for Russia.


Comment by Raine on 03/07/2017 15:40:48
I don't think she was joking!





Comment by wickedpam on 03/07/2017 15:40:50
Park Service Releases more Photo's of Inaguration Day

*insert sad trombone sound*

It really makes it look even worse.

Comment by Raine on 03/07/2017 16:00:51
Quote by wickedpam:
Park Service Releases more Photo's of Inaguration Day

*insert sad trombone sound*

It really makes it look even worse.

That is some Epic level trolling! #9 is my fave I think.

Comment by Scoopster on 03/07/2017 16:07:04
Gonna stretch the limits of my computing power tonite - Imma stream my gaming raid night on Twitch while listening to Kenny's show (and yes, you'll hear the radio in my game stream too).

I hope my computer, and my viewers, can handle it.

Comment by wickedpam on 03/07/2017 16:09:03
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Park Service Releases more Photo's of Inaguration Day

*insert sad trombone sound*

It really makes it look even worse.

That is some Epic level trolling! #9 is my fave I think.


That's a good on - 4 and 3 are my faves


Comment by wickedpam on 03/07/2017 16:11:08
I know its just a small things but has anyone heard anything about the WH Easter Egg Roll? The Park Service is doing the ticket lottery but the WH has not announced anything so far. Easter is in like 4 weeks.

Comment by Raine on 03/07/2017 16:30:14
Quote by wickedpam:
I know its just a small things but has anyone heard anything about the WH Easter Egg Roll? The Park Service is doing the ticket lottery but the WH has not announced anything so far. Easter is in like 4 weeks.

The tickets should have been given out by now, No?

Comment by Raine on 03/07/2017 16:31:07
Comment by wickedpam on 03/07/2017 16:35:29
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
I know its just a small things but has anyone heard anything about the WH Easter Egg Roll? The Park Service is doing the ticket lottery but the WH has not announced anything so far. Easter is in like 4 weeks.

The tickets should have been given out by now, No?



That's what I thought. Hmmm, I might email my aunt about it - she's worked the event since W.

Comment by Raine on 03/07/2017 16:38:55



Comment by Mondobubba on 03/07/2017 16:48:02
Quote by wickedpam:
I know its just a small things but has anyone heard anything about the WH Easter Egg Roll? The Park Service is doing the ticket lottery but the WH has not announced anything so far. Easter is in like 4 weeks.


Ugh, something else that is going to be ruined by Cheetolini's giant ego.

Comment by Mondobubba on 03/07/2017 16:50:02



I really wouldn't call that "breaking his silence." He didn't say anything.

Comment by wickedpam on 03/07/2017 16:58:56
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
I know its just a small things but has anyone heard anything about the WH Easter Egg Roll? The Park Service is doing the ticket lottery but the WH has not announced anything so far. Easter is in like 4 weeks.


Ugh, something else that is going to be ruined by Cheetolini's giant ego.



Isn't it put on by the First Lady?

Comment by Scoopster on 03/07/2017 17:07:10
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
I know its just a small things but has anyone heard anything about the WH Easter Egg Roll? The Park Service is doing the ticket lottery but the WH has not announced anything so far. Easter is in like 4 weeks.

The tickets should have been given out by now, No?

I heard he has the best egg rolls in the lobby restaurant at Trump Tower...

Comment by wickedpam on 03/07/2017 17:09:39
Quote by Scoopster:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
I know its just a small things but has anyone heard anything about the WH Easter Egg Roll? The Park Service is doing the ticket lottery but the WH has not announced anything so far. Easter is in like 4 weeks.

The tickets should have been given out by now, No?

I heard he has the best egg rolls in the lobby restaurant at Trump Tower...


lol - I see what ya did there.

Comment by TriSec on 03/07/2017 17:10:42

But it’s time now to focus not only on Trump and his psyche (although just quickly, before I turn away from that topic, I have to note that the most plausible theory I heard all weekend about why Trump did what he did was the hypothesis that he was miffed that the Obamas got that joint $65 million book advance; that’s just so Trump in every way).


My pet theory, and so far it's been confirmed every weekend by Mr. Trump himself, is that he has been miffed about airplanes flying over Mar-a-Largo on their way into Palm Beach International. (His place is about a mile out, centerline-extended). When he is in residence, they don't fly over it anymore.

He's been fighting this battle with the FAA since he bought the place.


Comment by Mondobubba on 03/07/2017 17:37:52
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
I know its just a small things but has anyone heard anything about the WH Easter Egg Roll? The Park Service is doing the ticket lottery but the WH has not announced anything so far. Easter is in like 4 weeks.


Ugh, something else that is going to be ruined by Cheetolini's giant ego.



Isn't it put on by the First Lady?



Yeah, Ivanka will be hosting it for sure.


Comment by wickedpam on 03/07/2017 17:45:51
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
I know its just a small things but has anyone heard anything about the WH Easter Egg Roll? The Park Service is doing the ticket lottery but the WH has not announced anything so far. Easter is in like 4 weeks.


Ugh, something else that is going to be ruined by Cheetolini's giant ego.



Isn't it put on by the First Lady?



Yeah, Ivanka will be hosting it for sure.



If they even have it, talked to my cousin a bit she said her mom hasn't heard anything about working it this year so far.

None of them seem like they should really be around kids - they do not exude warmth by any stretch of the imagination.

Comment by Mondobubba on 03/07/2017 19:14:45
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
I know its just a small things but has anyone heard anything about the WH Easter Egg Roll? The Park Service is doing the ticket lottery but the WH has not announced anything so far. Easter is in like 4 weeks.


Ugh, something else that is going to be ruined by Cheetolini's giant ego.



Isn't it put on by the First Lady?



Yeah, Ivanka will be hosting it for sure.



If they even have it, talked to my cousin a bit she said her mom hasn't heard anything about working it this year so far.

None of them seem like they should really be around kids - they do not exude warmth by any stretch of the imagination.


I know, right? They are the evil opposite of the Obama clan.

Comment by Scoopster on 03/07/2017 19:24:44


Probably just lost another friend to this shitty fucking political climate.

Tho I'll admit it's probably my fault. I've started considering more extreme forms of protest, including the kind written about in Thoreau's Civil Disobedience. His response was that I needed mental help if I was considering such a thing.

Comment by livingonli on 03/07/2017 20:45:44
I am trying to find a link that I saw posted on Facebook but now I can't find the post that showed that at least one of the WikiLeaks host servers is in Russia. And, it wouldn't be there if it didn't have the approval of Vladimir Putin.

Comment by livingonli on 03/07/2017 21:45:21
Comment by BobR on 03/08/2017 00:23:08

This is not necessarily a smoking gun. This is info from someone who doesn't understand how a large website works. Big websites often "mirror" their sites in various locations for better performance in those locales. I am willing to bet that Google has DNS IPs in Russia too.