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Taking On The Needs of Veterans & VA
By Jeremy Butler, Opinion Contributor, The Hill
December 15, 2020
Opinion Contributor to The Hill, Jeremy Butler, provides his own insight about the needs of veterans and suggestions for the new leadership at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Butler states, “Throughout the pandemic, we’ve looked to our government leaders for clarity, vision, and results — necessities the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) consistently failed to provide. From the agency’s use of the drug Hydroxychloroquine to the supply of personal protective equipment for VA employees, the VA’s COVID response has been inadequate, proving detrimental to the health and well-being of our veterans.”
Butler goes on to mention, “The new administration has an opportunity to course correct. As a leading veterans advocacy organization, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) believes the next secretary of Veterans Affairs must bring to bear specific qualities if we are to effectively support our nation’s heroes.”
Below are the top 3 areas Butler believes are priority for the new VA leadership to tackle.
1. Proven Leadership
To effectively lead, the VA secretary must understand the daily demands of the VA and the large-scale reforms it requires.
2. Dedication to Improving Health Care
Since millions of veterans look to the VA for health care, the VA requires a leader committed to prioritizing this issue for our community.
3. Commitment to Women Veterans
While the population of women veterans has been steadily increasing since the 1970s, their VA services and benefits often lag behind.
We’d like to hear from you. Where do you believe the VA could improve? What are your concerns? What areas of interests do you believe are paramount for veterans? VA?
Add Comment
John Edelmann, 12/17/20
I think that while Mr. Butler is entitled to his opinion he might want to use facts. The VA is only as good as the Government Response is. The Congress and the President have to share in the burden just as much. There is also another way to look at the problems and that is from the bottom up, not just top down. As a veteran I see the need for the VA to be the advocate for the veteran. Therefore, there is a need for a Veteran's Advisory Group to voice to the Leadership the needs. A group that has a voice has power. Right now when a veteran is voicing a problem it is the voice of one. The VFW, American Legion, the DAV and the IAVA are national groups that have not been listen to. The Advisory group I am suggesting has to be given a voice as part of the VA.