VA under fire over delays in new GI Bill

[unhappycamper]

VA under fire over delays in new GI Bill
By Leo Shane III, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Friday, September 26, 2008

WASHINGTON — Lawmakers angrily criticized Veterans Affairs officials Wednesday for possible delays in implementing the new GI Bill benefits by the August 2009 deadline, calling for more urgency and ingenuity by department leaders.

Keith Pedigo, assistant deputy undersecretary for veterans benefits administration, told members of the House that the VA does not have the technical expertise or manpower to handle the transition from the old education benefits system to a larger, more complex formula.

As a result, the department expects to contract out the work. But he said the 11-month window left to get that work done will create challenges for the program.

House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Bob Filner, D-Calif., charged that officials aren’t working hard enough to find solutions.

"I could find a geek to do this stuff for $1 million," he said.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=57670