NY Times: Focus on Veterans’ Chief (Nicholson) as Inquiries on Care Begin

[babylonsister]

Nicholson is the guy who claimed there were lots of dental problems as opposed to head injuries in Woodruff's special. :eyes:


http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/05/washington/05nicholson1.html?adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1173100671-TLwSBdVjDHeAAKa/INHfug

Focus on Veterans’ Chief as Inquiries on Care Begin

By LYNETTE CLEMETSON
Published: March 5, 2007

snip//

Mr. Nicholson, 69, a Vietnam War veteran and past chairman of the Republican National Committee, was appointed by Mr. Bush to lead the department in 2005.

He has been accused by some veterans and the organizations that represent them of being primarily a mouthpiece for the Bush administration and of being slow to respond to increasing strains on his agency as returning soldiers move from facilities like Walter Reed, which is run by the Defense Department, into the veterans affairs system.

Critics say he has under-emphasized his agency’s budget needs to Congress, has not responded to calls for more mental health workers and brain trauma specialists and has failed to overhaul disability claims procedures. Some leaders of veterans groups say Mr. Nicholson is less communicative than his predecessors.

“We’re supposed to be partners, but there is no free flow of information since he took over,” said Bill Bradshaw, director of National Veterans Service for the Veterans of Foreign Wars. “We often learn about changes after they are done, and there is little consultation.”

Mr. Nicholson says his agency is making changes. It is putting procedures in place to screen all veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan for signs of brain trauma and the agency is also researching how to shorten the claims process, he said.

“I am willing to take responsibility for the mistakes in the system, but at the same time I am entitled to credit for all the good things and advances happening at the V.A.,” Mr. Nicholson said. He said the V.A. system had been cited “as among the best, if not the best” integrated health systems in the country. Mr. Nicholson called the 2008 budget request of nearly $87 billion “a landmark request” and said that V.A. financing had increased by 77 percent since Mr. Bush took office in 2001. (Critics point out that there are also increased demands from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.)

more...

[Monkeyman]

1. Sec. Nicholson need to go now

[babylonsister]

2. Yes. Nicholson and Kiley both need to go. nt