June 22, 2009

Shinseki In California To Outline Plans For Streamlining VA.

The fourth story in the San Francisco Examiner's (6/22) "Good Day" column reports Eric Shinseki, secretary of the US Veterans Affairs Department, will be in San Francisco on Monday, outlining "plans to streamline the agency and its operations. The lecture is hosted by the Marines' Memorial Association and co-sponsored by the World Affairs Council. [5:30 p.m., Marines' Memorial Theatre, 609 Sutter St., S.F.]"
Impact: VA Secretary

Shinseki, Donovan Announce $75 Million Allocation For Homeless Veterans.

In continuing coverage, the Lake County (CA) News (6/20) noted that on Thursday, Federal officials "announced $75 million is being dedicated to helping homeless veterans around the nation. The United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) met Thursday for the first time under the Obama Administration." The meeting was chaired by US Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki, while US Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan "was elected rotating chair for the upcoming year." The two men "announced the allocation of $75 million to local public housing authorities across the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam to provide permanent supportive housing and dedicated VA case managers for an estimated 10,000 homeless Veterans. This...joint initiative is called Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program."
 State Of Washington Housing Authorities To Receive Vouchers. The Spokane (WA) Spokesman-Review (6/21, Graman) reported, "As many as 35 homeless veterans in the Spokane area will receive housing assistance this year through a $75 million nationwide program. The federal Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program provides rental assistance vouchers worth about $7,500 for each veteran and any family members, according to an announcement this week by the office" of US Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA). The Spokesman-Review added, "Washington housing authorities will receive 420 vouchers" from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. In "addition to rental assistance, eligible homeless veterans are provided support services and case management by local Veterans Health Administration medical centers."
Impact: Homeless Vets

VA Hospital Said To Have "Botched" Cancer Treatments.

In continuing coverage, KYW-TV Philadelphia, PA (6/21, 11:07 p.m. ET) broadcast that the Veterans Affairs medical center "in Philadelphia is under fire...for allegations of botched prostate cancer treatments. The 'New York Times' found 92 patients were given incorrect radiation doses over 6 years. A Federal commission inspected the hospital last fall and the prostate treatment program was suspended." That "investigation is expected to resume this week." WPSG-TV Philadelphia, PA (6/21, 10:13 p.m. ET) and WTXF-TV Philadelphia, PA (6/21, 10:08 p.m. ET) aired similar reports.
Meanwhile, in a front page story, the Albany (NY) Times Union (6/21) ran a shortened version of the New York Times (6/21, A1, Bogdanich, 1.06M) report referenced by KYW. The Southwest Florida Herald Tribune (6/21), the Gainesville (FL) Sun (6/21), the San Jose Mercury News (6/21, 222K), and the Denver Post (6/21, 211K) also published versions of the New York Times report. And the AP (6/22), which also covers this story, notes that Dale Warman of the Philadelphia VAMC "said the hospital leadership 'takes the ... situation very seriously and has taken every step possible to correct or mitigate the problem.'" The New York Times' (6/21, Parker-Pope) "Well" blog also noted this story.
Problems Revealed After Advisory Committee Asked For Update. And in a front page story, the Philadelphia Inquirer (6/22, McCullough, 339K) reports, "The Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which oversees such radiation therapy, launched an investigation and published some results this month in the Federal Register." But in "recent news reports, the extent of the problems with the brachytherapy program became public." This "all came out not because the NRC finished its inquiry; regulators return to the Philadelphia VA this week, and their report is expected this fall. Rather, the revelations emerged because an NRC advisory committee asked the agency for an update at its regular public meeting."

Link to original NYT Story: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/21/health/21radiation.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=philadelphia%20veterans&st=cse
Impact: Philadelphia VA, botched cancer treatments