Nation’s newspapers call for changes at the VA

Newspapers across the country have been calling for changes to be at the Department of Veterans Affairs in the wake of a scandal involving alleged medical mistreatment of military veterans. 

The VA has been accused of allowing a backlog of cases to build up for years in some cases and attempting to cover up the problems by falsifying records.

Republicans have called for President Obama to fire Secretary Eric Shinseki as the VA attempts to deal with the fallout from the allegations. 

{mosads}Several major newspapers across the country said in editorials that were published over the weekend that major changes need to be made, even if Shinseki stays. 

“President Barack Obama has himself acknowledged the crisis,” the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wrote. “After a meeting with VA Secretary Eric Shinseki last week, he called the allegations ‘dishonorable’ and said he would not stand for it. Let’s hope he means what he says.

“After a highly distinguished military career, it would be unfortunate for the four-star general to be dismissed,” the paper continued. “But that is hardly an argument to keep a Cabinet chief who may have done a poor job. He must do better if he is to stay.” 

Shinseki drew similar harsh reviews from the Florida Times Union in Jacksonville. 

“The most shocking fact about the revelations of mismanagement at the Veterans Administration is how long these problems have persisted. VA head Eric Shinseki has been ineffective so far while people are stuck on waiting lists,” the Florida paper’s editorial board wrote. 

“Is Shinseki the right person to fix it? He hasn’t been so far. He will need show much better leadership,” the paper continued. “The nation’s patience has run out.” 

The News and Observer in Raleigh, N.C., came to Shinseki’s defense, arguing that he was still the man for the job of fixing the beleaguered VA, which both he and President Obama promised to do at the beginning of the their terms in 2009. 

“Shinseki, a retired four-star U.S. Army general who lost most of his right foot fighting in Vietnam, is still the right man to lead reform of the VA,” the North Carolina paper wrote. “He knows the system’s problems and he knows its patients’ pain.” 

The Wichita Eagle said the VA should focus on making major improvements, not on protecting Shinseki’s job. 

“The U.S. military shouldn’t give someone a uniform and a job to do unless the Department of Veterans Affairs, in return, is prepared to do its job of delivering health care and other promised benefits,” the Kansas paper wrote.

“That the VA is falling far short of its responsibility at least at some facilities is a shame that transcends party politics but falls hardest on President Obama, who campaigned in 2008 on a commitment to cut backlogs and upgrade care,” the editorial continued. “The president’s tardy remarks last week must lead to decisive action.”