Shinseki, Other VA Officials Promote Volunteerism. In a story noting that Obama Administration officials traveled "all over the country" Monday "to promote the value of volunteering," the AP (6/23, Locke) reports "a volunteer driver from the nonprofit Disabled American Veterans" transported "Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki and two...veterans through commuter traffic to a VA hospital in Washington." Over "80,000 people donated time last year helping with VA-related programs, but Shinseki said there's concern that there's been a decline in the number of volunteers." The AP added that other "senior VA officials volunteered at homeless shelters and in other ways."
The Politico (6/23, Henderson) says, "A dozen Cabinet officials," including Shinseki, "fanned out across the country Monday to kick off a 12-week program, called United We Serve, that aims to stimulate economic growth and encourage community service through extended volunteer work." The Washington Post's (6/22, O'Keefe) "Federal Eye" blog, meanwhile, said Shinseki "drove some veterans to their medical appointments at D.C.-area VA medical centers" Monday. The Post added that Defense Secretary Robert Gates was scheduled to "make one of his regular visits Walter Reed Army Medical Center" Monday "to visit wounded veterans."
Impact: VA Secretary, volunteerism

"Network Of Veterans" Pushes For New Laws In Oregon. The Oregonian (6/22, Sullivan, 291K) said, "Oregon soldiers will find it easier to avoid repossessions, keep their jobs, stay in college, get a home loan and spend time with their families because of the 2009 Legislature." The "passage of 19 new laws, and another five awaiting" Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski's signature, "has less to do with young patriots than with middle-aged military veterans in key positions who, like a stealth army, have brought the full weight of their personal experience to the fore. From the governor's top military aide, a combat veteran who has deployed three times since 2003, to the attorney general, who was the only Marine in his freshman class at Yale, an aggressive new network of veterans has propelled much of the agenda."
Impact: Oregon Veterans Groups, state legislature

Cancer Treatment Errors At Pennsylvania VAMC Spark More Reaction. Reports of errors made during cancer treatments at a Veterans Affairs hospital in Philadelphia continue to draw reaction, including from KYW-TV Philadelphia, PA (6/22, 12:08 p.m. EDT), which broadcast that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is investigating the Philadelphia VA Medical Center "for allegations of giving prostate cancer patients incorrect dosages of radiation."
Adler Calls For Congressional Probe. During a broadcast noting that the NRC will be at the hospital "this week to investigate more," WTXF-T Philadelphia, PA (6/22, 10:08 p.m. EDT) said US Rep. John Adler (D-NJ), a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, "is calling for a congressional probe" into hospital.
Specter Planning Hearing. In a front page story which also noted Adler's concerns, the Philadelphia Inquirer (6/23, McCullough, 339K) says that on Monday, the "unfolding scandal prompted" US Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) "to say he would hold a hearing on the matter in Philadelphia on Monday." However, VA spokeswoman Katie Roberts "said that a new leadership team at the VA was conducting a 'top-to-bottom review' of the entire agency and that it would take aggressive action 'to make sure the right policies and procedures are in place to protect our veterans and provide them with the quality health care they have earned.'"
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

Survey Gives High Marks To VA On Hearing Aids. In a story that gives advice on how to buy a hearing aid, the Washington Post (6/23, 652K) says that a military veteran's "first step should be to determine whether" he or she is "eligible to get" hearing aids at the "nearest Veterans Affairs facility." The Post adds that "13 percent of...respondents" in a national survey for Consumer Reports "who went to the VA gave it high scores across the board."
Impact: Research, Hearing Aids