COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA VETERANS’ HOSPITAL PLAYS STARRING ROLE IN NATIONAL SCANDAL
Last October, FITS reported exclusively on computer thefts at Williams Jennings Bryan Dorn Veterans Hospital in Columbia, S.C. According to our sources, these thieves made off with sensitive medical records and other personal information belonging to veterans.
More recently, Dorn has come under scrutiny for its role in a mushrooming scandal at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) – which runs the nation’s network of veterans’ hospitals.
This week our friend Rick Manning of Americans for Limited Government penned this piece on the broader scandal, railing against career bureaucrats who “played God with the lives of those who served … in the military.”
How’d they do that? By creating a “secret list of patients determined to be too ill to help.”
In late April, CNN reported that 40 veterans died while waiting for appointments at the Phoenix Veterans Affairs Health Care system – whose leaders allegedly engaged in “an elaborate scheme … to hide that 1,400 to 1,600 sick veterans were forced to wait months to see a doctor.”
A few weeks before that, the VA system acknowledged that 23 veterans died waiting for endoscopy screenings for possible gastrointestinal cancer – months after another CNN exclusive exposed the problem.
The facility with the worst record in that scandal? Dorn – where six patients died waiting for these screenings.
“What happened at the Dorn hospital, however, was not just an oversight,” the CNN report noted. “The hospital knew that its growing waiting list and delays in care were having deadly consequences.”
Not only that, in September 2011 Dorn requested – and received – $1 million in additional taxpayer funding to specifically address its backlog. According to CNN, though, ” only a third of that $1 million from Congress was used for its intended purpose.”
Unbelievable …
This website has made it clear we do not support the excessive size and chronic unnecessary deployment of the American military. And in light of the domestic spying scandal and other moves toward fascism on the part of the federal government, we’ve also made it clear we no longer believe enlisting in the U.S. Armed Forces is an act of courage or patriotism.
Just the opposite, in fact …
Having said all of that, though, we simply cannot condone the rationing of health care to veterans … or the squandering of tax dollars specifically earmarked to address legitimate health care backlogs … or apparent efforts to cover up the scandals by the administration of Barack Obama.
We get that no one wants to validate Sarah Palin and her “death panel” comment … but isn’t that exactly what’s happening in these hospitals?
Government should not be in the hospital business. Nor should it be in the war-making business. Instead, it should be in the business of defending the homeland in a manner consistent with legitimate national security interests – a process which includes (or ought to include) subsidizing the health care needs of those who provide for that defense.
That’s clearly not what’s happening …
Before pursuing a career in the U.S. military, every young person should stop and ask themselves the following two questions …
Will my service help advance freedom?
Will the promises my government is making to me in exchange for that service be kept?
Sadly, the answer to both of those questions is “No.”
70 comments
A dear friend of mine, now departed, used to travel the extra hour to Aiken to avoid Dorn…and he was really not in the shape for an extra hour drive for medical care.
Obama’s running it…it’s not Dorn….It’s Obama….
GT, actually there have been problems with VA hospitals for many, many years. Remember back when (2007) there was so much problems with Walter Reed hospital up near DC? When that broke there were reports of problems at the VA hospitals. When 0bama was told about the current issues with VA (early 2009) that info was based on studies made during Mr. Bush’s administration. Its the bureaucrats in the VA that are the problem. Mr. Shinseki should have been fired the day after this broke, not because 0bama appointed him but because he obviously chose to ignore the well documented problems.
Death Panels…?????….that’s been a part of the VA????…Wow…
You are in the Freaking TWILIGHT Zone if you’re going to try to Take Down the historical VA in an attempt to shill for your hideous, and false lord-god Obama…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbBX6aEzEz8
The VA — what Obamacare would be if it was even worse
What is wrong with VA hospitals? Barack Obama.
VA scandal=Obamacare scandel
“For the first time ever you will have somebody that will help veterans”=”If you like your insurance, you can keep it” (Barack Obama)
VA” Death” Panels=Obamacare “Death” Panels
Dear God, the comments are regressing to a Neanderthal-like state.
I don’t know about ‘Halfvast’, but Peabrained certainly fits.
He’s right, you a F*#king idiot, w/o a thought in your head…except how can you serve your repulsive master lord-god Obama better…
Will, there is only one honorable and patriotic option for you. Join the Taliban.
What the flying fuck is off the wall about veterans not getting proper medical care
Have you had relatives to go to VA multiple times just to be told to return later, then told to return later, then told to return later ……..
Bible Thumper my lily white ass –
They don’t like the message at the end Jim. Our glorious government has not been living up to its promises to Veterans, and Sic Willie points that out, and it’s was like poking a hornet’s nest.
Even for the “limited gov’t” Republicans, it’s a big “no no” to cast a light on reality if it shows Uncle Sam and its proud military in a not so flattering light.
Notice every comment here won’t address the actual failures of the US goverment, it will instead talk about “Patriotism”, call him a traitor, etc. et al…anything but actually addressing his points.
Fits —- we’ve also made it clear we no longer believe enlisting in the U.S. Armed Forces is an act of courage or patriotism.
Just the opposite, in fact …
—————————————-
Cowardice? Treachery? They are opposites.
Based on a McClatchy piece I scanned regarding a 76 year old man who watched the spots on his nose get bigger and bigger while awaiting a VA appointment, I am curious to know how many of these waiting list patients are also covered by Medicare, due to disability or age, and chose not to see a local doctor because they would have a small co-pay.
When do you get so much into a ‘I served my country and it owes me’ mode that you lose your common sense about getting care when you need it?
Vietnam Medal of Honor recipient Col. Jack Jacobs calls for the end of the VA hospital system and turn the VA medical benefits over to the private sector as just another insurance..
I bet you blame the woman who gets Raped too…
Is your high-and-mighty lord god Obama responsible for none of the F*#k-ups he renders????
How F*#king stupid do you think we are??…How F*#king ignorant, must you be???
It’s all about personal responsibility, Big T.
You’re way drunk really early today, aren’t you, T ?
“Personal Responsibility”..and you are an Obama D!*k Sucker…THAT IS PRICELESS…
When is Obama going to take ANY Responsibility ANYTHING, especially the things he is DIRECTLY responsible for???…LMAO…
You may the THE MOST Ignorant Mother-F*#ker in the Universe…but you are a typical brain-dead idiot liberal…so go figure…
GT, I don’t get that from his comments. Rather I get that if your doctor in your plan couldn’t see you wouldn’t you go to a different doctor even if he/she was out of plan and cost more?
You miss the point.The VA is a state run health care system.There is NO incentive for these doctor’s to treat many patients. On the average a private doctor cardiologist sees the same number of patients in one day as a cardiologist at the government run VA sees in one week.
This is Obamacare.Millions are being pushed into government run Medicaid and this will also bankrupt Medicare.
A shortage of doctors and lack of money equals NO adequate health care and “death panels”.
This is Obamacare.
TIL Obamacare created the VA hospital system.
TIL all hospitals are now hellholes.
Because Obamacare.
BINGO DUMBASS! You win the prize! :-)
Col. Jessup had these words for Sic Willie, “I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man
who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I
provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it.”
I’ve wonder for some time now what Sic Willie considers courage and patriotism to be.
Angrily blogging about conservative/libertarian principles, probably.
You realize, Jessup was the bad guy in that movie, right?
Yes, but his words here are the truth. Some more for you, “For it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an’ “Chuck him out, the brute!”
But it’s “Saviour of ‘is country” when the guns begin to shoot;”
Not really, no one man provides a “blanket of freedom” to any other.
Aside from that, if Jessup didn’t get paid, with money taken from other people, he wouldn’t be doing the job anyway. So freedom is a purchased thing from the start, not some selfless act of patriotism.
The people coming closest to that are probably the Swiss with their system of citizen armies.
if you think those guys are in he military for the money you haven’t been in the military.
Then they should work for free using your logic.
There is this old document that says that we the people provide for the common defense. Perhaps you didn’t know that it requires funds to do that. Whether it is pay, transportation, equipment, etc., it still must be purchased. I presume your “purist” approach is that you should just drive your own car to the war site, provide your own weapon and ammunition. If you need to bivouac don’t forget to bring your own tent, blanket and food. You got wounded? Well call your family doctor.
Nah, I just think the Swiss model is better.
nobody appreciates a fire extinguisher until there is a fire.
LMAO: FITS comes up now and acts like he is not on the side of Failure…
FITS is like the typical liberal….he sits around w/ his head up his @$$, while fools like Obama, ruin the country…
And when things begin to break to the point no one, not even the media, can cover up and hide it anymore…FITS runs to the front of the line, and acts as if he was way ahead of the curve…
FITS, you suck off Obama, by soft-selling, and blaming ALL, as if the Rs are just like Obama. So don’t play all sacrosanct now…
I hope Obama and the DNC and Pootlian are paying FITS phat and nasty @$$…because they sure are using him like a cheap Ho…
Did WIl FOlks really write this piece…??
Really…??
Ya know Mr. Folks….if you really want to be beneficial to GRAND Tango or SMIRKS or CNSYD….don’t you think you would have pulled a FOI on Senator Graham and Tim Scott to see just how many VETERANS have contacted their offices about the care they have received at the VA…!? Heck, challenge GRAND TANGO to do it and submit his information to you so you could publish it here on your website..!?
Wil Folks…….this article makes you look like a big IDIOT…!!!
You do know that your loyal readers are more organized than the staff of Graham or Scott or Clyburn …don’t you..?
Mr. FOlks do you not think that if Grand Tango was to get “shafted” at the VA with his care and services that he would pick up a phone and tell GRAHAM or Scott or CLYBURN about it..!?
NO wonder this website looks …”white”…!!!
I cannot for the life of me figure out why it is necessary to separate veterans medical care from that of the general population. Other than immediately treating combat/training injuries, just send them to a regular hospital where this isn’t a 4 year backlog, and give them a coverage card to pay for it. Problem solved, less government cronies needed.
Any of the S#!* faces ready to tell me how right I am about Obama…or are you still in denial, too proud to admit how right I am???
1) What is valid is Sarah Palin is a bloodsucking GD idiot preying on a gullible fan base to extract every last dollar from them that is available.
2) What is valid is Veterans have always been given less than what they were promised. Not just in the US, but other nations as well.
3) What is valid is Dorn VA has had issues long before it became W.J. Bryan Dorn VA Hospital as have most VA centers including the flagship, Walter Reed Hospital.
4) What is valid is that almost every President has had to deal with VA issues not the least of which was George W. Bush who had to fire at least 2 General Officers and led to the resignation of a third.
5) What is valid is it’s none of your effing business why a young man or lady joins the Armed Services. In fact, a good rule of thumb would be for the same to do just the opposite of what cretins like you advise.
6) What is valid is VA medical care and facilities have nothing at all to do with Obamacare except to license fodder for ignorants to babble about.
7) What is valid is the scorn and contempt of young volunteers for our Armed Forces hold for self-admitted drug addled scum like Will Folks who was nowhere to be found when of age for military duty.
You can serve the Devil…or You can serve the Lord…
It’s obvious who you choose…
You’re the one full of hate and serving the Devil, T.
You are so articulate and thoughtful…LMAO….
GT, Three Rivers has a bed available for you, and 24 hour care and treatment. They will even give you a framed diploma to hang on your wall – if they release you?
I notice how you filthy,OWS socialists that despise our veterans and support this ‘muslim’ loving pResident never want to discuss the issues.
I thought Debbie Wasserman Schultz said dems were going to run on VA/Obamacare?
If we’re talking about government, there should be a separation of religion from state, meaning it serves neither of the two you listed.
The only thing government should serve is the people.
Interesting.Same kind of thinking as Salin,Hitler,,Chavez and Castro. How did that work out for em?
oops…Stalin…your favorite GODLESS hero?
Has nothing to do with Obamacare? What a dumbass, Gomer Pyle!
The VA is GOVERNMENT RUN HEALTH CARE!
Medicaid is GOVERNMENT RUN HEALTH CARE! Majority of new Obamacare sign-ups were on MEDICAID!
Are you really so ignorant of the differences between the VA, Medicare and Medicaid?
…and why DID you leave out Medicare as ‘GOVERNMENT RUN HEALTH CARE!’ ?
He’s “Ignorant #1” that I was referring to above.
MEDICARE!Thanks.Just like Medicaid,MEDICARE will be bankrupt and out of money as we have a shortage of doctor’s willing to see patients and/or retiring.
Just like at the VA and its rationing of medical care and ‘death lists’, payments for MEDICARE services will be rationed or eliminated based on age and heath of the patient.
It is already happening.
Yup, and all those old people absolutely despise Medicare. God, they just hate, hate, HATE it! The care they receive is exactly like the VA hospitals, or worse! Save the poor old people from their Medicare!
I elect you to go door to door and revoke old peoples’ Medicare coverage, in person. They’ll greet you as a liberator! Putting their hands around your neck is just their way of praising you!
Medicare is already being ‘revoked’ with Obamacare.Many procedures and drugs are not being covered anymore.
‘Death Panels’ are a comin.Just like those ‘secret’ VA patient lists denying the sickest veterans services, those lists are being created now by those Obamacare ‘panels’.
Insanity! WHAT procedures and drugs are not being covered any more? Medicare benefits have increased since Obamacare. The donut hole is closed. Preventive care and well-visits are provided at no charge.
Yup, because everyone on Medicaid goes to a government-run hospital to see a government-hired doctor.
Oh wait, that’s not how Medicaid works? Damn. I guess you’re a complete fucking imbecile. Sorry mate.
Medicaid works this way.People that work and pay taxes give the GOVERNMENT the resources to give FREE HEALTH CARE to potential Democratic Party voters and their families It ties in real well with the food stamps, free housing etc… In many states they have you register to vote when you sign up for Medicaid.
Problem is that MANY doctor’s will not except Medicaid as payment because of the reimbursement rates and heath care is substandard with long waits for appointments.
Wait, that sounds like the VA!
FUCK YOU smjerks. Stick with following the Bobby Harrell stories.More your speed.These are ‘big boy’ topics. :-)
Damn good post.
LMAO! Any post that is false and a lie is a ‘Damn good’ post to you and the other band of socialists that occupy FITSNEWS.
Say what you want about Sara Palin, she is being proven right every day.
In reference to number three, Walter Reed is not and never has been part of the VA system. That scandal was about the treatment of active duty soldiers who were part of something called the Warrior Transition Program.
Yes, I agree. The President IS insane.
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I have NEVER before seen the per mil symbol on the many blogs and boards!
Well… now you have.
“…we’ve also made it clear we no longer believe enlisting in the U.S. Armed Forces is an act of courage or patriotism.”
“we’ve”…Sic Willie, do you have a turd in your pocket?
Ya know………we just took a survey here in the SPAWAR Atlantic office and want to know from all loyal FITS readers if Nancy Mace would be more concerned about veterans waiting for health care than Graham is concerned about immigration amnesty care..?
Who would a veteran rather talk too about VA service….Nancy Mace or Lindsey Graham or Henry “Mac”-Master overseeing senior care …??
This VA dust is “potent” voter action at the polls….!!
The problem at Dorn is the management they have been changing Directors on a yearly basis or less. A large part of the staff are clip board carrying RN’s doing nothing but getting huge salaries an regular bonus check. Millions are missing but no one seams to care it was for Endoscopic exams that were to be performed on every 50+ year old male patients. BTW Walter Reed was a General Army Hospital and is now a DOD joint service medical center. I don’t use it as I have other coverage and that leaves room for some sick as hell Vet whose doesn’t have a choice for care.
so making a doctors appointment should make you immune from death? were these soldiers turned away with an ax sticking out of their head? or are we supposed to hire enough VA doctors to see every patient immediately no matter the cause? have you really thought about this at all?
You are the biggest asswipe I have ever seen comment on here. Have you really read about this at all, you idiot? You clearly have ZERO understanding of the facts of the story. They were lying, keeping secret lists and putting vets off, until they died from lack of care. Money was disbursed, and it is now gone. You are a fucking idiot alright, but the that fact that two people upvoted you, astonishing ignorance.
You said “no one wants to validate Sarah Palin” in your article. Why not? She was right about that, Obama’s actions leading to the invasion of the Ukraine and 1,000 other things. You don’t like conservative women, therefore we should all disregard Sarah Palin? Huh?!
Now consider this. Will has done a service pointing up both bad things that happened. Is it possible that they are linked? Maybe the computers which were stolen have second patient accounting records. Nixon’s people shredded records. Clinton’s people shredded records. Did the Dorn VA’s people “shred” and dispose of computers?
How in the world can we re-elect Sen Graham and Rep Wilson whose district includes Dorn Veterans Hospital?
Rep Joe Wilson (SC-2) is Chairman of the Subcommittee on Military Personnel. The Military Personnel Subcommittee is responsible for military personnel policy, reserve component integration and employment issues, military health care, military education, and POW/MIA issues. This subcommittee makes sure that our troops and their loved ones are receiving the first class benefits that they deserve.
And the VA Hospital in your district is rife with sub-standard care? The Bush Administration new of these problems in 2008! This is an outrage. On Wilson’s watch these problems festered, veterans died, and silence from Joe? Why would anyone keep him in D.C.?
Sen Graham sits on the Committee on Armed Services has jurisdiction over all areas of national defense. Decent healthcare for veterans must not be his strong suit. Veterans have died in US veterans hospitals, veterans have died in SC veterans hospitals on his watch!
Stand fast Wilson and Graham until you are relieved very soon June 10 in the primary. Utterly pathetic, sickening job performance from both of these guys who wear the flag on their lapels, hold high positions in Congress charged with discharging the benefits our veterans earned who only end up dead in the veteran hospitals in Lindsey and Joe’s South Carolina!