Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Veterans Say New 'Choice Card' System Is Confusing
The Washington Post: It Was Meant To Reduce Wait Times, But Veterans Say New Choice Cards Are Causing More Problems
Veterans and some VA doctors say that the new “choice card” program, meant to reduce long patient wait times, is confusing and causing more stress. The choice card issued by the embattled Department of Veterans Affairs was meant to end long wait times for veterans after last summer’s scandal revealed that those who fought for their country were dying while waiting for care. The card gives veterans who have been waiting more than 30 days for appointments or who live more than 40 miles from a VA facility the chance to see a private doctor. (Wax-Thibodeaux, 2/16)
The Washington Post: Months After Scandal, VA Secretary Vows Department Is Making Progress
Seven months after taking the helm of the embattled Department of Veterans Affairs, Robert McDonald insisted during his first Sunday show interview that he has already brought new accountability measures to a scandalized department. “We’re making fundamental changes in the department…900 hundred people have been fired since I became secretary,” McDonald told Meet the Press’s Chuck Todd on Sunday morning. “We’ve got 60 people who we’ve fired who have manipulated wait times, we’ve got about 100 senior leaders who are under investigation now…so we’re holding people accountable.” (Lowery, 2/15)
The Hill: VA Chief: Employees Being Held ‘Accountable’
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Robert McDonald said Sunday that he is holding employees of his agency more responsible for their treatment of veterans after a scandal that engulfed the department last year. “Nine-hundred people have been fired since I became secretary…so we’re holding people accountable,” McDonald said during an interview on NBC’s “Meet The Press.” (Laing, 2/15)
