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Tag: Veteran Affairs

Senate Approves VA Reform Bill

The Senate on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved broad reforms to the Department of Veterans Affairs less than two weeks after a health care scandal led to the resignation of VA Secretary Eric Shinseki.

The unusually swift bipartisan passage spoke to the alarm lawmakers felt when reports revealed tens of thousands of veterans waited months for doctor appointments. The problems were worsened by agency employees who created false waiting lists to try to hide the crisis.

The bill makes it easier for the VA secretary to fire executive employees, creates 26 new VA medical facilities around the country, and authorizes $500 million for the hiring of new doctors and nurses.

It allows veterans waiting for care to go to private physicians and send their bills to the VA, among other provisions.

Read full article here.

Contact Steven Cosby with questions or to request more information and to schedule a healthcare plan evaluation, savings analysis or group plan solution for your company.

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BREAKING: White House Considering Cleveland Clinic’s Cosgrove to Lead VA

Cleveland Clinic President and CEO Dr. Delos “Toby” Cosgrove is under consideration to replace Eric Shinseki as secretary of Veteran Affairs.

Modern Healthcare confirmed the potential pick after an initial report late Tuesday in the Wall Street Journal. The Cleveland Clinic declined to comment.

Cosgrove’s name was not on the initial list of possible nominees that surfaced last week after Shinseki resigned amid an ongoing scandal involving egregiously long waits and secret wait lists for veterans to get care at VA facilities around the country.

Shinseki’s replacement was widely expected to be someone with either military or VA experience. Previously mentioned possibilities include Sloan Gibson, Shinseki’s interim replacement; former Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.); Army Gen. Peter Chiarelli; Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.); and Army Chief of Staff Ray Odierno.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Read the full report here.

Contact Steven Cosby with questions or to request more information and to schedule a healthcare plan evaluation, savings analysis or group plan solution for your company.

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