Helping Our Veterans May Be Easier With New VA Leader

Dr. David J. Shulkin, MD – Public Domain Image (Flickr: Veterans Health)

So many systems within our government seem to be in need of some TLC, but none more than our Veteran’s Administration.

Our servicemen and women who have put their lives on the line for our country are not and have not been tended to with the respect and immediacy they deserve.

Hopefully that will change with the new appointment of David Shulkin as the Secretary of Veteran’s Affairs. According to Shulkin, “The problems in the VA are not necessarily about money. When I look back at the problems of the VA over the past decade, this is fundamentally a system that hasn’t kept up with modernization in the way that the rest of healthcare in the private sector has.”

I’m not certain that money isn’t the issue. If funding were not a problem why are there 45,000 medical positions unfilled throughout the administration? And, why hasn’t the administration kept up with modernization? Those two items tend to stem directly from a lack of proper funding for our servicemen and women. Nonetheless, I appreciate the enormity of the position with its overflowing plate of problems. I sincerely hope Shulkin can effect real change for the better.

Helping Our Veterans Is What We Do

Our law firm counsels veterans and their widowed spouses helping them negotiate for and receive the services and care to which they are entitled. Like most government agencies it takes constant education to keep up with the complex ins and outs of the administration to know how to properly apply for specific programs and benefits. I’m all for making it easier for our Veterans and their families in light of the major sacrifices they’ve made for us.

While some veterans may feel uncomfortable that Shulkin has never served in any branch of the military, he did come to his post in the government with three decades of experience in patient care and leading private hospitals. He is also the son of an Army psychiatrist, was born on an Army base and trained at VA hospitals. He understands the sacrifices veterans make and knows that they deserve to have access to their benefits.

Veteran’s Choice Program May Expire

Back in 2014 after Veterans Affairs internal investigations concluded that 35 people died waiting to receive medical attention, the Veteran’s Choice program was initiated. This gives veterans access to available specialists who are close by so they don’t have to travel to VA clinics and thereby avoid long wait times. He is also looking into bringing the wait times down to see a doctor at a VA clinic. That could be the result of having 45,000 medical jobs unfilled. We’ll see how that goes soon enough.

In the meantime, Veteran’s Choice is set to expire in August, and Shulkin is working with Congress to renew the act that allows Veterans to continue to seek care outside of the system.

If you or someone you love is in need of an attorney to help you with gaining access to Veteran’s benefits, call The Elder & Disability Law Firm of Victoria L. Collier, PC for a free 15-minute telephone consultation to see how we can best serve you.

Looking to find an experienced estate lawyer in the Georgia area who is skilled in asset protection and estate plan preparation? Shannon Pawley is an attorney in Georgia with expertise in estate planning and asset protection. Shannon can provide assistance with creating an estate plan to include making a will and how to establish a trust properly. If you have questions about asset protection or questions about making an estate plan, reach out to Shannon and she will be glad to help answer all the estate planning questions you might have!

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