House considering ombudsman for VA

[unhappycamper]

House considering ombudsman for VA
By Leo Shane III, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Thursday, June 12, 2008

WASHINGTON — House lawmakers on Wednesday said they favor a new ombudsman office for the Department of Veterans Affairs, assigned to field and fix complaints of patients’ difficulties in getting their benefits.

Members of the House Veterans Affairs Committee delayed an anticipated vote on a measure creating the post during a hearing Wednesday morning, but said they expect to amend and approve the idea in coming weeks.

The legislation under consideration, sponsored by Rep. Paul Hodes, D-N.H., would charge the ombudsman with serving as a liaison for "all veterans and their family members." The new VA post and supporting office staff would be included within the existing budget.

Hodes’ staff said specific hiring and staffing details would be left to the department, but they’d expect a hot line for veterans complaints and personnel to investigate specific individuals problems and related broader issues.

VA officials oppose the bill, saying it creates an extra layer of bureaucracy for services the department already handles. Such an effort could confuse veterans, ultimately making them wait longer for answers.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=55471



uhc comment: When you have a coupla hundred thousand backlogged cases, ex-soldiers offing themselves to the tune of 18 a day, and 1/4 of the entire homeless population of the US are veterans, the VA might need some help.