Shinseki Vows Top-Down Review, VA Overhaul

(AP)  New Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki is launching a top-down review of his embattled department, saying major change is needed soon to ensure the "highest levels of integrity, transparency and performance."

In his first appearance before Congress since becoming secretary, Shinseki also reiterated his promise to submit a "credible and adequate 2010 budget request" in the coming weeks that will be cost-effective while fully sensitive to veterans in need.

"Our veterans deserve and demand a Department of Veterans Affairs that remains relevant over time, that is responsive to their individual and changing needs, and that cares enough about them to undertake this challenging transformation. We care," Shinseki said in testimony prepared for a House Veterans Affairs Committee hearing Wednesday.

Shinseki, a former Army chief of staff, is taking over the government's second largest agency after it was criticized during the Bush administration of not doing enough to meet the growing needs of veterans. Thousands of veterans currently endure six-month waits for disability benefits, and the VA is scrambling to upgrade government technology systems before new legislation providing for millions of dollars in new GI benefits takes effect in August.

In recent weeks, the Government Accountability Office found that the VA was still lowballing budget estimates to Congress at the expense of tens of thousands of patients needing long-term health care. The VA also acknowledged at least nine cases of giving incorrect doses of drugs - mostly blood-thinning heparin - due to widespread computer glitches that it did not disclose to patients.

House Veterans Affairs Chairman Bob Filner, D-Calif., has said the recent VA problems pointed to a "dangerous lack of accountability."

In his testimony, Shinseki said he would review the "fundamentals in every line of operation" to ensure that veterans receive "timely access to the highest quality of benefits and services."

"I intend to ... demand the highest levels of integrity, transparency and performance in leading the department through the fundamental and comprehensive change it must quickly undergo," Shinseki said. "There's a long tradition of VA providing leadership in medicine, of setting standards in many fields. Where we lead, we must continue. Where we do not, we must regain that leadership."

[barbaram99]

My Dad got his hearing aids thru the VA Dad is a vet. I am appalled a vet on this here board can't get hearing aids he/she needs. Yer served. If ye need hearig aids they should give them to ye. Dad's hearing loss is I would guess age related. i an a daughter of a vet. Yep bush messed things up. Denied hearing aids. Ye need them and the VA can get them for ye. i live with a Vet. If he need something the VA hospital gets it for him. A doctor writes the order then he gets it. I know that. I am just a lay person.
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[Dwaraka36]

No person should be holding a placard at street crossings reading, %u201CVeteran, need help.%u201D There should be no calls from charities asking for donations of cars by saying that they are helping disabled veterans and their families. The VA should have a database of every veteran and what their economic condition is. There should be plans for their physical, mental, and economic rehabilitation, if needed. The General should start with the VA web page by making it informative and action oriented.

[dburfears]

It will take years to fix the VA mess left by Bush and his disinterested leadership.

[aboz3]

Talk is cheap! The proof will be if he submits a real budget that meets vets needs, will congress pass it and will the President sign it! Supporting vet needs sounds great before the election, but afterwards they get shuffled down the priorities!

[nevminer735]

The Veterans Affairs is populated with Draft Dodgers that never served in the military. Case in point, I lost my hearing as a result of sitting on top of a jet engine for four years and all I asked for were hearing aids. I was denied and they stated that my hearing loss was a result of my post service employment. My hearing loss started during my employment with a large computer manufactur and the loudest noise was the hum of the cooling fans. The V.A. doesn''t have to prove their decisions with factual evidence, their opinions surfice.

[barbaram99]

That is right bush sent them into combat and he would not fund the VA. They earnt that care. See to it the vets get what they need, I ask this as a daughter of a Vet and a friend of a Vet. I thank each of ye. Sir don''t just talk. Help the Vets.

[babooph]

You mean those whaco Christian ,bloodthirsty torturors Bush put in did not look out for veterans-what a shock.