By Matt Rooney | The Save Jersey Blog
Each Obama Administration outrage is worse than the last, Save Jerseyans. This most recent blunder was deadly, and it hit very close to home for thousands of New Jersey veterans and their families who rely on the Veterans Affairs Department for their health care.
I wish I could say callous indifference to the lives of our front-line public servants is an exception to the rule on this president’s watch. Sadly, it’s becoming a pattern. And they can’t stop lying about it.
Anger over absurdly-long (and deadly) waits at facilities operated by the Veterans Affairs Department, and all the signs of an official cover-up, reached a fever pitch earlier this week when we learned that the number of VA facilities actually under investigation is up to 26.
Rep. Leonard Lance (R-NJ07) spoke for the rest of his caucus by unloading on the deeply troubled administration bureaucracy…
“The recent allegations of preventable veteran deaths due to delays in treatment and falsifying appointment records in Phoenix, AZ and at least 26 other facilities are alarming and outrageous,” said Lance, whose district includes the Lyons Veterans Administration Medical Center located in Somerset County’s Bernards Township. “The VA must come clean and immediately address the systemic problems plaguing our veterans’ health care system.”
New Jersey is home to 24 different VA facilities including the Lyons Center.
Congressman Lance cosponsored H.R. 4031 which passed the House on Wednesday — known as the “Department of Veterans Affairs Management Accountability Act” — designed to give the VA secretary greater discretion in the firing and demotion of department executives. The measure comes only days after VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki offered a verbal shrug during his congressional testimony and drawing unheeded calls for his immediate sacking.
“Our veterans deserve the highest quality medical care and most efficient delivery of benefits possible,” Lance concluded. “This legislation will help ensure this by giving VA’s Secretary the tools to hold failed executives accountable.”
Sadly you are showing the James J. Howard facility. I travel to that facility from Sussex County because it is simply one of the best in NJ. You should be picturing Lyons or East Orange. Want to spend a day in East Orange VA, let some vets know. We will be happy to bring you there.
This is all well and good but Rep. Lance is not what he claims and I voted for him! I had a problem, called his office a dozen times and was blown off. Even his clerks don’t seem to have time for their constituents. Yes, I’m talking to you, Bobby Goodman! Now you expect me to believe he cares so much for veterans? Nope, not buying it.
This year, I’ll be voting for David Larsen. He came to my door to hand me a flyer and he actually listened to my problem and invited me to his campaign HQ to talk more. Best night I had all month. I highly recommend the public go to his website because he’s there every Saturday. That guy wasn’t even elected but he should be!
Good-bye, Lance!