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Andrew Lentz
Mr. Campopiano
Government 1
2 November 2015
Thomas Breen, a veteran died while waiting as his family tried many times to schedule a
doctors appointment at a local Veterans Affairs hospital (L. Fisher). That is just one problem
with Veterans Affairs (VA) Hospitals long wait times cause veterans to die before they are able to
see a doctor. The VA has also had many problems over the years with scandal in its department
head committee positions causing it to be in debt and deliver unsatisfactory care to its patients.
To fix these problems Congress should grant the Department of Veterans Affairs three billion
dollars. With the money the VA will be directed to fix its committees positions, shorten wait
times, and update its technology.
The Department of Veteran Affairs has had many problem with its head committee chairs
and the directors taking bonuses for their efforts when their performance is inadequate. VA
bonus pay had no clear link to performance, the department had consistently defended its
celebration of executives who presided over these events, while giving them glowing
performance reviews and cash bonuses of up to $63,000 (VA Accountability Watch). The
committee chairs would basically overlook the fact that they were doing a bad job and gave
themselves bonuses. Phoenix VA Regional Office Director Sandra Flint has received more than
$53,000 in bonuses since 2007 despite a doubling in the offices backlog of disability
compensation claims since 2009 (VA Accountability Watch). Again another example of people
taking bonuses for doing a poor job when they should be using that money to fix the problems at

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hand. The head committee chairs taking money is not even the biggest issue the VA has, the
biggest issue is that veterans are dying while waiting for appointments with their doctor.
The department of Veterans Affairs has had problems with its wait times and some VA
hospitals even tried to change when veterans actually saw their doctors. Internal emails show
that top management at the VA hospitals in Arizona knew about the practice of shredding
evidence of veterans requesting appointments to make it seem as though the wait times were
shorter (L. Fisher). The VA just needs to accept that it has scheduling problems and get help in
trying to fix them. Instead of trying to get help, some VA hospitals reportedly placed patients
on a secret list to evade scrutiny by federal regulators who grant bonuses for maintaining short
patient wait times(Pazzanese). It seems that all the committee chairs want to do is make money
and they dont care how they get it.
The Department of Veterans Affairs has served many veterans over the years starting in
1930 after world war one. The VA uses some of the oldest technology, in the government some
of it being 30 years old. Beyond technology the VA also doesnt keep the rooms sanitary. More
than 1,800 veteran patients of the St. Louis VA Medical Center may have been exposed to HIV
and Hepatitis as a result of unsanitary dental equipment (VA Accountability Watch). Our
veterans should be getting some of the best care for defending our freedom and not put in
unsanitary conditions. Of particular concern is the outdated, inefficient nature of certain
systems, along with a lack of system interoperabilitythe ability to exchange information
which presents risks to the timeliness, quality, and safety of VA health care (High Risk). When
you go to the doctors you would expect it to be clean and for them to use the best technology
available, so why not do the same for veterans who put their lifes on the line.

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With all the problems the VA has veterans dont complain about the long wait times or
the sanitary conditions. A 2013 survey released by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
found that 93 percent of veterans who use the VA health care system have a favorable impression
of it (Veterans love VA). This means that when they do get to be seen they say that the care the
doctors provide with the technology they have is wonderful. Although most veterans are very
pleased with the care they receive, but when it comes to standing in line, they do and should
rightfully expect to be seen as quickly as possible, especially if the wound, illness or injury could
worsen (Veterans love VA). If you got shot wouldnt you want the doctors to get the bullet out
right away so why make or veterans wait to get it taken out when it can cause serious harm.
The VA has many problems to fix with its head committee chairs, long wait times, and
updating its technology. That is why congress should give the VA three billion dollars to fix these
problems. The controls should be in place to ensure that head committee chairmen won't take
money when they are not suppose to. To monitor this and make sure that nothing happens to the
money the Government Accountability Office will look over the Department of Veteran Affairs.
Veterans will actually see the doctor when the request it. And finally making sure that the
technology they are using is the best for the men who have risked their lives for this country.

Works Cited
"Why Veterans Still Love The VA." ThinkProgress Why Veterans Still Love The VA
Comments. N.p., 23 May 2014. Web. 19 Oct. 2015.

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"High Risk: Managing Risks and Improving VA Health Care." U.S. GAO -. N.p., n.d.
Web. 24 Sept. 2015.
L. fisher. "What Does the Veterans Affairs Scandal Tell Us? - The Keating Center." The
Keating Center. N.p., 23 May 2014. Web. 24 Sept. 2015.
"Sign Up for Committee Updates." VA Accountability Watch. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Sept.
2015.
Pazzanese, Christina. "Disarray at the VA." Harvard Gazette. Harvard, 06 June 2014.
Web. 24 Sept. 2015.