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The Washington Post: VA restructuring plan draws virtually no outside enthusiasm

November 12, 2014

The Department of Veterans Affairs on Monday unveiled a restructuring plan to regain the public's trust and ensure smoother operations after the agency's recent scheduling scandal, but veterans groups and key members of Congress have expressed little enthusiasm for the proposals.

The American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars have said nothing about the plans, which is unusual for a major initiative. Meanwhile, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America expressed cautious optimism, mixed with a dash of criticism.

"After years of failure, missed deadlines and disappointment at VA, our veterans will only celebrate when we see results," IAVA chief executive Paul Rieckhoff said Monday. "We're all rooting for Secretary McDonald and the VA, but IAVA members won't be satisfied until the mission is accomplished and we see a measurable difference in local communities nationwide."

Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald speaks about his efforts to improve services during a news conference at the National Press Club on Nov. 7. (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP)

Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) didn't address any specifics of the VA plan in a statement about the initiative Monday. Instead, he applauded the department's recent efforts to hire more health professionals who can help deal with increasing demand.

"That's the senator's major focus and the subject of his meetings with VA Secretary Robert McDonald on VA reform," said Jeff Frank, a Sanders spokesman.

House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Jeff Miller (R-Fla.), one of the department's staunchest critics, suggested in a statement Monday that nothing will appease him like seeing quick firings of employees who were responsible for the scheduling scandal, which involved widespread falsification of appointment data to cover up treatment delays.

"New plans, initiatives and organizational structures are all well and good, but they will not produce their intended results until VA rids itself of the employees who have shaken veterans' trust in the system," Miller said. "So far, VA hasn't done that — as evidenced by the fact that the majority of those who caused the VA scandal are still on the department payroll."

Last month, the department implemented its first official firing under new rules that Congress and President Obama approved this summer for removing senior executives over wrongdoing and performance issues.

All told, the agency has proposed terminations for four senior executives, and McDonald, who took office in the wake of the scheduling scandal, has said that he has proposed disciplinary action for about 40 employees, with the possibility of 1,000 more to come.

But many Republicans, especially Miller, have accused the VA chief of moving too slowly. In particular, the chairman takes issue with the department giving employees five days' notice before initiating the firing process to give them time to answer the charges against them.

Miller has also complained that VA executives have a chance to retire or accept other federal jobs before the agency has a chance to finalize their removals.

McDonald has argued that he is holding employees accountable as fast as he can while allowing for due process. He said during a media breakfast last week that he can't just "walk into a room and simply fire people," even with the new law in place for removing bad actors.

The legislation that was approved this summer shortened the appeal process for senior executives who are proposed for removal, but it does not allow the VA to oust employees without a chance to respond.

"No one doubts that reforming VA is a tough job," Miller said. "But getting rid of failed executives should be the easiest part — not the most difficult."

To read the original article at the Washington Post, click here.
Issues:Veterans