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AMVETS CALLS FOR ACTION FOLLOWING DETROIT’S VA FAILURE
National veterans’ group calls on Congress to ensure VA has proper resources
WASHINGTON, Oct. 16, 2008—An internal investigation at the Detroit Regional Office for the Department of Veterans Affairs revealed thousands of claims documents discovered in shredder bins and scores of official correspondence not properly accounted for. According to VA watchdog Larry Scott, employees at the Detroit Regional Office confirmed that within these piles of paperwork were original applications for benefits, medical benefits, and informal claims.
In this morning’s Detroit News, Scott noted that these claims may have been pushed aside by an overtaxed and undertrained workforce within the regional office. AMVETS believes this is another situation that could have been avoided with proper resources and funding for the VA.
“This is a prime example of why Congress must provide timely, sufficient, and predictable funding for the VA,” said AMVETS National Commander John Hapner. “The latest incident in Detroit is further evidence of a system that is reaching its breaking point. Yet the VA still must plead its case before Congress each year for a bare-bones budget that inevitably allows veterans to fall through the cracks. It is well past time for the VA to transition from a discretionary to mandatory funding model.”
Over the years, AMVETS and its partners on the Independent Budget committee have been vocal advocates for mandatory VA funding. The incident in Detroit further fuels this call to action.
Last month, the chairmen of the House and Senate Committees on Veterans Affairs, Rep. Bob Filner and Sen. Daniel Akaka, introduced key legislation that could provide advance funding for the VA. However, this bill will not be examined until the next Congressional session commences in Jan. 2009.
According to the VA, the investigation into the Detroit Regional Office continues, and it remains unclear at this time whether any service members’ paperwork was actually lost or destroyed. AMVETS applauds VA leadership for handling this incident in a transparent and forthright manner, and will continue to closely monitor the story to ensure swift and appropriate action follows.
About AMVETS:
A leader since 1944 in preserving the freedoms secured by America’s armed forces, AMVETS provides support for veterans and the active military in procuring their earned entitlements, as well as community service and legislative reform that enhances the quality of life for this nation’s citizens and veterans alike. AMVETS is one of the largest congressionally-chartered veterans’ service organizations in the United States, and includes members from each branch of the military, including the National Guard and Reserves. For more information, visit www.amvets.org.
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