Monterey, CA What Do Veterans Have To Say About The VA Scandal?

Myriad problems continue to plague the Veterans Administration but a search is in high gear to replace VA Secretary Eric Shinseki, who recently resigned.  The top candidate appears to be the CEO of the well-respected Cleveland Clinic, Delos "Toby" Cosgrove, according to the Wall Street Journal.  The position would be a challenge, to say the least.  However, in addition to running one of the best hospital systems in America Dr. Cosgrove is a heart surgeon who has performed more than 22,000 operations as well as a decorated Vietnam veteran (having received the Bronze Star and the Republic of Vietnam Commendation Medal).  Lost in all of the political headlines have been the opinions of what veterans really think about the situation.  It was nice to see that the WSJ did a less political article on Monday, interviewing hospital patients at a Chicago VA facility who are hoping the scandal will lead to improvement.  "He's a scapegoat, he can't watch everything, Tom Conroy, a 71-year old veteran of Korea and Vietnam said of outgoing VA chief Eric Shinseki.  Conroy was once a general and lost half of his foot to a land mine in Vietnam and now suffers from myriad health problems.  He had some important words for whoever is chosen to head the VA.  "Get people to do their jobs.  It's not the doctors and nurses, it's the damned administrators," he said.  "I think a lot of people are going to lose their jobs, and they probably should," he said. 

Please note that this blog reflects my personal opinion and may or may not reflect the opinion of Hands to Help Seniors and the individual members comprising the Board of Governors.