Duckworth: VA Is Undergoing A "Major Transformation."

The Charleston (WV) Gazette (8/11, Nyden, 46K) reports L. Tammy Duckworth, a US Department of Veterans Affairs official, "told a Charleston audience on Monday that the VA is in the process of 'a major transformation.'" Duckworth, "the VA assistant secretary for public affairs," who "spoke during 'CARE-NET: Caring Beyond the Yellow Ribbon,' a day-long conference" for veterans, "talked about her personal experiences as an example of why reforms are needed within the VA to make it easier for other caregivers to gain quick access to veterans' medical records." After losing both legs while serving in Iraq, Duckworth said she encountered difficulties receiving care in a "broken" VA system. The Gazette, which notes that during her comments, Duckworth praised VA Secretary Eric Shinseki, adds, "The Rev. Ricardo Flippin," who "hosted the main program" at Monday's conference, "is an example of problems with the VA" because he suffered an "internal radiation injury" while receiving brachytherapy at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center. Meanwhile, US Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), another speaker at the conference, stressed that the VA needs "a new emphasis" on mental health issues.

Assistant Secretary Stresses Importance Of Serving All Veterans.

WCHS-TV Charleston, WV (8/10, 6:08 p.m. ET), which broadcast that Duckworth was the "keynote speaker" at Monday's "annual CARE-NET conference," showed her saying, "Today's message is...to reach out to veterans – to listen to them, to have them express their concerns and to really talk about the need to conduct outreach to Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, in addition to maintaining the quality of service we provide to Vietnam, World War II, and Korean War vets."

Impact: Assistant Secretary Duckworth, VA changes

Audit Shows More Veteran Suicides Occurred In Spokane Than Previously Thought.

In continuing coverage, KXLY-TVSpokane, WA (8/10, 6:31 p.m. PT) broadcast, "Nationwide, new attention is being paid to the issue of veteran suicide," and now, "it appears the problem with veteran suicides in Spokane is worse than previously thought." The Spokane Veterans Affairs Medical Center "previously reported nine suicides in 2007 and 2008 in soldiers who received care from the VA." However, "a government audit shows 22 veteran suicides in Spokane, and 15 of them had contact with the VA. The report recommends several methods the VA should take in order to better care for soldiers suffering from depression and suicidal tendencies."

Impact: Spokane VA suicides

Health Care: What We Need, What We Don't.

In a letter to the editor of the Washington Post (8/11, 652K), Michael D'Andrea, a resident of Olney, Maryland, writes, "I am eligible for medical care at the Veterans Administration but prefer not to go there because it doesn't seem to be as good as private facilities."

Impact: WA Post Editorial