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VA vows to improve efforts to warn of poor-performing doctors

STARS AND STRIPES — The Department of Veterans Affairs insisted Wednesday that it was already addressing problems reported by a government watchdog about the agency’s failure to alert other hospitals of potentially unsafe doctors.

Legislation allowing vets to bypass VA draws ire of VFW

STARS AND STRIPES — The Veterans of Foreign Wars criticized legislation introduced by a Colorado congressman Tuesday as a distraction from the real work of reforming how veterans receive health care from private medical facilities.

OPINION: Exploiting Veterans for Profit

NEW YORK TIMES — Despite efforts by Congress, the Obama administration and state attorneys general to stop the predatory practices of for-profit colleges, veterans and service members who rely on funding from the G.I. bill and the Defense Department to attend school are still being targeted by an industry infamous for saddling people with debt and useless degrees.

Governor and First Lady honor Cpl. Todd L. McGurn

GOV.CA — On behalf of all Californians, Governor Brown and First Lady Anne Gust Brown honor Cpl. Todd L. McGurn, who bravely gave his life in service to our state and nation. The Governor and First Lady extend their deepest condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time.

Napa transportation agency honors bus workers for efforts during wildfires

NAPA COUNTY REGISTER — VINE Transit bus drivers had a role to play during the Atlas, Tubbs and Nuns wildfires. The Napa Valley Transportation Authority recently honored them for their work. The NVTA uses the firm Transdev to run the VINE buses … On Oct. 10, buses went to the Veterans Home of California at Yountville to help with evacuations there. On Oct. 11, buses helped with the evacuation of Calistoga, an NVTA press release said.

VA failed to report 90% of potentially dangerous medical providers, GAO confirms

USA TODAY — The Department of Veterans Affairs failed to report 90% of potentially dangerous medical providers in recent years to a national database designed to prevent them from crossing state lines and endangering patients elsewhere, according to the Government Accountability Office.

Veterans are key as surge of states OK medical pot for PTSD

ABC NEWS — Today, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced the appointment of 12 new members to its Veterans Advisory Committee on Education, to be chaired by former U.S. Sen. James H. Webb.  “Senator Webb has consistently put Veterans first throughout his career,” said VA Secretary Dr. David J. Shulkin. “He will bring outstanding experience and knowledge to the leadership of the committee.”

My Army service made me believe in universal health care

THE ATLANTIC — In July, I experienced a flash of panic that only one of America’s 28 million uninsured citizens can truly understand. Life—and my right ankle—took a tough turn. I had broken my leg running in a charity mud race in St. Petersburg, Florida, and for the first time since I’d left the Army the summer before, I didn’t know what to do when I needed to see a doctor. As a soldier, I had health-care providers available at all times to treat my every medical need, at no direct cost to me. As a civilian, I felt suddenly out in the cold.

Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipient Wesley Fox dies at 86

STARS AND STRIPES — Marine Corps Col. Wesley Fox, who received the Medal of Honor for successfully leading his company through an enemy attack during the Vietnam War and retired decades later at the mandatory age of 62, died the evening of Nov. 24 in Blacksburg, Va. He was 86.

Unique home in Yountville treats young vets with combat stress

SF CHRONICLE — The Pathway Home, an independent residential treatment facility for post-9/11 veterans with combat stress, sits amid thousands of acres of trees and lawn in Yountville. But all one Marine named Jack needed of the outdoors was the exit staircase across the hall from his room.

Here’s a Thanksgiving toast to the greatest generation

NEWSWEEK — The late World War II combat veteran and memoirist E. B. Sledge enshrined his generation of fellow Marines as “The Old Breed” in his gripping account of the hellish battle of Okinawa. Now, most of those who fought in World War II are either dead or in their nineties. Much has been written about the disappearance of these members of the Greatest Generation—there are now over 2,000 veterans passing away per day. Of the 16 million who at one time served in the American military during World War II, only about a half-million are still alive.

It’s time to end the decades-long sabotage of veterans healthcare

THE HILL — Too few of our tax-dollars were designated toward building the physical infrastructure and hiring the manpower that would be able to provide the resources required to treat today’s veterans.

A veteran’s guide to navigating health care after service

THE WEEK — Post-military life can be a flood of decisions, from finding a new career to choosing how, or if, you want to cut your hair. While health care isn’t always a top priority, it’s among one of the most significant and confusing decisions military families need to make while transitioning into new lives. Most military members likely spent their formative years in a system that guaranteed access to free or affordable care, a scenario that doesn’t necessarily play out in the civilian world, says Blake Bourne, the executive director of North Carolina’s Charlotte Bridge Home, a nonprofit that helps veterans successfully adjust to life in the civilian world.

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