JOURNALISM AND COMMENTARY
A Major Newspaper Gets It Wrong
Last week, USAToday ran a feature by reporter Jill Castellano that spotlighted issues around the VA MISSION Act, which is supposed to assure that veterans have easier access to care – outside the VA when clinically necessary.
Broken Promises: Veterans Healthcare is Being Replaced by the Private Sector
By: Suzanne Gordon and Russell Lemle, Senior Policy Analysts, in The Hill • VHPI Policy Analysts Suzanne Gordon and Russell Lemle dig into and analyze concerning new data around the proliferation of private care appointments for VA patients.
A Fresh Look at Veterans, Toxic Exposures, and Access to VA Care and Benefits
On October 1, VA Secretary Denis McDonough was interviewed by Jon Stewart, who had just launched his Apple TV show, “The Problem with Jon Stewart.”
Sanders’ Dental Dilemma
Senator Bernie Sanders recently introduced two pieces of overlapping legislation that would positively boost the federal safety net for American veterans in need of dental work.
The VA Is Ripe for Right-Wing Attacks. Here’s How Biden Can Stop Them.
By: Suzanne Gordon and Jasper Craven, Policy Analysts, in The Washington Monthly • VHPI Policy Analysts Suzanne Gordon and Jasper Craven offer a vigorous proposal on the best move to re-invigorate the VA: nominate a permanent Undersecretary of Health
VA Firearm Policy Got It Half Right
By: Russell Lemle, Senior Policy Analyst, in The Federal Practitioner • VHPI Senior Policy Analyst Russell Lemle offers a mixed analysis on the VA's firearm policy and examines the power of messages co-signed by credible partners.
VHA Caregivers Provide Privatization Reality Check
By: Suzanne Gordon, Senior Policy Analyst, in The American Prospect • VHPI Senior Policy Analyst Suzanne Gordon examines two new distressing surveys by VA clinicians offering urgent warnings about the department's dysfunctional community care program.
Private Sector Watch: Unvaccinated Healthcare Workers
Due to deliberate misinformation, the concept of vaccine mandates has become strangely divisive in America, a country that successfully spearheaded the eradication of polio from Earth.
Selnick Peddling Falsehoods to Push Passage of New Legislation
Darin Selnick is at it again. Selnick, a VA privatizer with close ties to the Trump and Koch worlds, has recently helped launch a new anti-VA group called Veterans 4 American First Institute (V4AF).
A September 11 Reckoning: Calculating the Full Cost of War
By: Suzanne Gordon, Senior Policy Analyst, in The American Prospect • VHPI Senior Policy Analyst Suzanne Gordon reports on the mounting healthcare costs of the ongoing Forever Wars which, while rarely discussed, will end up being the single largest expenditure in the War on Terror.
A New Report Lays Out The Ideal Future of Mental Healthcare
Over many years as a clinical psychologist inside the Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for PTSD, I was always thinking about how America could better deliver mental health care.
Legislation Assuring Automatic VA Enrollment is Vital
By: Russell Lemle and Suzanne Gordon, Senior Policy Analysts, in The Hill • VHPI Senior Policy Analysts Russell Lemle and Suzanne Gordon report on the urgent need to pass EVEST Act, which would greatly open the door to veteran patients.
Dems Fight to Make VA Health Care Enrollment Easier for New Veterans
By: Suzanne Gordon, Senior Policy Analyst, in The American Prospect • VHPI Senior Policy Analyst Suzanne Gordon reports on the EVEST Act, which, if passed, would help veterans during their tough transition to civilian life.
A VA Ideologue Has it Wrong on Women + Minority Vets
Earlier this month, Darin Selnick, a VA privatizer with ties to the Trump and Koch worlds, offered his characteristically misinformed opinion piece in Military Times.
Private Sector Watch
A number of serious flaws plague the American healthcare system. I grew up with an insurance policy exemplifying these issues: “Don’t get sick because we can’t afford the doctor bill.
Say No To a VA Coup
During combat, out-of-the-box thinking saves lives and often wins battles. Should this logic be applied so that military leaders are the only people selected to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)?
A Watchdog Misses The Problem With Scanned Private Sector Medical Records
On June 17, the Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Inspector General (OIG) released a report on needed improvements in the tangled process of adding private sector medical records into the VA’s own internal electronic health system.
Healthcare Providers Who Harm Is a Big Problem in the Private Sector
In recent months, the VA’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) has released two reports detailing serious threats to patient safety in several medical facilities.