VA secretary refuses to apologize for Disneyland comparison

[alp227]

Source: Politico

Veterans Affairs Secretary Bob McDonald is not apologizing for controversial comments he made Tuesday comparing veterans health care wait times to lines at Disneyland.

During an interview with MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell on Tuesday, McDonald refused take back his comments that have prompted some GOP lawmakers to call for his resignation. Instead, he tried to clarify what he meant, arguing again that the VA should be evaluated by more than wait times.

“Look, we get it. Wait times are important. There’s no question wait times are important, but they aren’t the only measure of the veteran experience,” McDonald said. “If I was misunderstood or if I said the wrong thing, I’m glad I have the opportunity to correct it.”

He doubled down on the point he was trying to make Monday, when he told reporters "What really counts is how does the veteran feel about their encounter with the VA. When you go to Disney, do they measure the number of hours you wait in line?"

Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2016/05/robert-mcdonald-no-disneyland-apology-223523

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Update for more recent source. Original source: VA Secretary Bob McDonald: Veteran wait times not what really matters

[Jackie Wilson Said]

1. All areas of our government are intentionally underfunded by the teeeeeeeeeeeparty

They went to DC to destroy the government so they could point to Obama and blame him.

The Secty should repeatedly point that out.

[yeoman6987]

2. That sequestration hurt all agencies.

The idiots who came up with that needs to have money taken from their psyche is equal to the agencies.

[TonyPDX]

3. McDonald's right about one thing

The length of time veterans have to wait to be seen by a doctor isn't what really matters-- to him.

[jtuck004]

5. Can Obama fire his ass today, or is he getting something from this guy disrespecting veterans? n

[Plucketeer]

6. WOW!

So letting we taxpayers (and veterans - as I am) know what they're getting for their money, would only intensify the fusillade of criticism the VA is enduring.

I gotta say, as a vet who is getting a small monthly disability allotment - whenEVER I've had to deal directly with an agent of the VA, it's been truly exasperating. And as far as I'm concerned, dealing with them (or at least trying to) via their websites is even more infuriating! And when you DO finally get some reply or response to some question or need that you manage to get thru to someone - the reasoning - the math - the discourteous manner in which your questions are dealt with TRULY defies reason!

Here's a little tidbit of the looniness I've experienced in dealing with the VA: I initially went to see if I might get some compensation for hearing problems that were instigated in Vietnam. A work-up was written, describing my overall medical state when I first filed a claim. I DID have other problems, but never even thought that they might be service related. Now, I told you the VA is whacky, right? So my claim is evaluated and I'm awarded some disability due to my having been at a base where Agent Orange had been used - but my hearing claim? Well, they acknowledged that I had problems, but thanks to the VA's compensation math - I get nothing for that!
Now trust me.... once you DO manage to file aclaim with them - DO NOT call to find out the where or when of that claim. You're effectively throwing a stick in the spokes that's gonna set your case resolution back by at least months.

Serving in the military was a BREEZE - compared to trying to get to the benefits one legally is afforded when their service time is done.

[Basic LA]

7. I sometimes wonder if the VA budget shouldn't be rolled into the Defense budget.

Then let the VA costs come first. Of course Republicans would fight this as a big bite out of Defense. But as a vet who depends on the VA, it's clear to me that something needs to be done.

[Kelvin Mace]

8. Someone really doesn't want their job