Department of Veterans Affairs
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One of America's new guessing games is trying to figure out what went wrong at the Department of Veterans Affairs — and how to fix it. Some have suggested the problem is that the VA has too many vets?
June 11, 2014 -
The electronic wait system for keeping track of and monitoring initial primary-care appointments for new patients at Veterans Affairs medical facilities is not the only scheduling system at VA that's now under scrutiny. A separate system for monitoring VA patients' access to outpatient specialty care -- such as cardiologists, gastroenterologists and physical therapists — is also "unreliable," according to GAO's Debra Draper, who testified before the House Veterans Affairs Committee Monday evening.
June 09, 2014 -
Scandal-rocked federal agencies could, probably should, take survival training from Detroit auto-makers, who know how to handle little — and sometimes not so little — problems, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.
June 09, 2014 -
Linda Rix, co-CEO of FastYeti Incorporated will talk about a new website that helps veterans navigate their way through the with benefits claims process. June 6, 2014
June 06, 2014 -
The Office of Special Counsel is investigating more than three dozen claims of whistleblower retaliation at the scandal-rocked Veterans Affairs Department. The 37 cases OSC is investigating span VA facilities in 19 states. They include VA employees who say they've been retaliated against for disclosing a range of misconduct, including improper scheduling practices, the misuse of agency funds and inappropriately restraining patients, according to OSC.
June 05, 2014 -
On this week's Your Turn radio show, host Mike Causey chats with Carol Bonosaro, president of the Senior Executives Association about the threats to the career SES and the dangers to the American public if career jobs are turned into serve-at-will positions. Mike also speaks with reporter Andy Medici from the Federal Times about the latest at the VA and how legislation could affect feds at that agency.
June 04, 2014 -
Former GSA Administrator Martha Johnson sits down with Women of Washington hosts Aileen Black and GiGi Schumm to offer an insider's perspective on Eric Shinseki's recent resignation from the Veterans Affairs Department.
June 04, 2014 -
A new guide from the Office of Personnel Management lays out the next chapter in the government's efforts to employ veterans. Back in 2009, President Barack Obama told agencies to be model employers of vets. Veterans made up about a quarter of new hires. Today, they are at about 31 percent. Hakeem Basheerud-Deen directs veterans services at OPM. He's also an Air Force vet. He tells Tom and Emily on the Federal Drive that some agencies are doing well at hiring vets.
June 03, 2014 -
Does your agency hand out bonuses to the truly deserving, or are they handed out among the elite on an its-your-turn-rotation system? Senior Correspondent Mike Causey wants to know: Is your last bonus really going to to be your last?
June 03, 2014 -
Regardless of how you feel about the VA scandal, it's probably going to get worse before it gets better and you, and especially your boss, have a major stake in the "solution" to the problem, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.
June 02, 2014 -
On its surface, the Department of Veterans Affairs Management Accountability Act of 2014 is simple, but its simplicity belies the risks it presents for VA employees, former DHS CHCO Jeff Neal says.
May 30, 2014 -
Debra Roth, partner at Shaw Bransford and Roth will discuss what's happening at the VA and OPM Director Katherine Archuleta will talk about the status of phased retirement, the retirement-claims backlog and other civil service issues. May 28, 2014
May 28, 2014 -
New developments at the Department of Veterans Affairs, a VA Inspector General interim report confirms allegations of secret waiting lists and other problems. House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Jeff Miller (R-Fla.) and Senate Armed Services Committee ranking member John McCain (R-Ariz.) both call for Secretary Eric Shinseki's resignation for the first time today. But the VA has some success stories to tell. The agency says its claims backlog is at its lowest point in the last three years. VA credits its progress to several changes under its Veterans Benefits Management System or VBMS. Federal News Radio executive editor Jason Miller joins us with details on how VA is reducing the claims backlog.
May 28, 2014 -
The Veterans Affairs Department says its claims backlog is far below its peak of three years ago. VA credits its progress to several changes under the Veterans Benefits Management System or VBMS. Federal News Radio's Executive Editor Jason Miller joined Tom Temin and Emily Kopp on the Federal Drive and described how VA is reducing the claims backlog. Read Jason's related article.
May 28, 2014 -
Allison Hickey, VA's undersecretary for benefits, said VBMS has transformed the agency from a paper system to one that mostly relies on electronic data. Some lawmakers express concern about the way the agency is measuring how it reduces the number of veterans waiting for benefits.
May 28, 2014