Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Army Ousts Commander of Hospital After Deaths
This article discusses the scandal which erupted over Memorial Day Weekend surrounding the Department of Veterans Affairs. It came to light that 40 veterans had died while waiting for care at a VA hospital. Some officials have already been fired and there have been calls for more top officials to step down. The White House is very concerned over what is happening since improving Veteran affairs was one of Obama's campaign promises.
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As we learned from President Nixon's Watergate scandal, the only thing worse than a government blunder is proof of the attempt to cover up a government blunder. I am eagerly awaiting the findings of the federal investigators as they look into the allegations of documents covering up a "backlog of patients awaiting treatment." The White House should be concerned with good reason over this issue whether this was a campaign promise from Obama or not. I'm not sure where the priorities lie in a couple of these institutions, but it is clearly not in the well-being of the veterans.
ReplyDeleteIt is extremely upsetting that two young people have died due to the quality of care at the hospital. It's a shame that two young people, regardless of relation to the military, died. And of course, like Josh mentioned, the attempted cover up of the hospital's mistakes should be a major concern to the White House and President Obama. The hospital was sacrificing quality of care because their budget did not allow it to function at the quality level necessary.
ReplyDeleteThis article makes me sick for multiple reason. For one thing, these veteran's have risked their lives to protect our country. We should at least ensure that the hospitals where they receive treatment run smoothly. Also, today we have the technology to keep people alive, but two young people died here on account of carelessness. I can't imagine the pain that the families of these young veterans must be feeling. Yes, there needs to be budget cuts, but why don't we cut our massive defense budget, so that we can afford to care for our veterans.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that these two people died so close together in time, and we're both going through seemingly routine surgeries is very worrying. It really does seem like the hospital is sacrificing quality care. Mrs. Rice, the first patient, should have been placed on a triage list and seen quickly after her surgery, yet she waited hours without seeing a doctor. That quick visit could have saved her life.
ReplyDeleteIt's not only upsetting that these people died, but the fact that they were veterans who served the US is all the more saddening. Like Michaela said, we have such advanced technology today that less and less people are dying, yet these two were the unfortunate exception due to a lack of effort and care. Honestly, the budget should be a lesser priority than that of saving people's lives. It's awful how in a sense money has become more essential than human lives.
ReplyDeleteJosh brought up a good point, that this is similar to Watergate. It is upsetting that someone people trust such as the American President, betrays the people's trust. I believe that honesty is the best policy. It is tragic that people had to die for this situation to be public knowledge, but now that it is, changes can be made and more lives can be saved.
ReplyDeleteVeterans who have fought to protect our country deserve, at the very least, good medical care for themselves and their families. It is appalling what happened at the Womack Army Medical Center, especially since the patients could have had a much higher chance of survival if they had been treated properly. I think Michaela made a good point, if they are so concerned about the money maybe the massive defense budget is a good place to start looking.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Lydia that we shouldn't be concerned with the budget as much as we should be concerned with the well-being o our soldiers. These men fought and risked their lives for us, only to lose them because of careless medical attention. I'm looking forward to seeing how this evolves and what comes of it.
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