Policy

Senate Announces Bipartisan Deal to Fix the VA

The wide-ranging bill clears a path for removing senior officials and grants more money to hire doctors and nurses at backlogged facilities across the nation. By Sarah Mimms

Business

Lessons of the VA Scandal

The VA needs a skilled executive much more than it needs a decorated soldier -- and 9 other takeaways from the recent scandal that rocked the department. By Norm Ornstein

Business

How Pay Incentives Compounded VA's Problems

This is not the first time the Senior Executive Service pay and performance system has been the focus of criticism. By Howard Risher

Business

Are Unions the Big Problem at VA?

Two-thirds of the VA workforce is unionized and critics say too many of them spend their time on union organizing. By Charles S. Clark

Policy

Behind Eric Shinseki's Downfall

The VA secretary was undone by an overwhelmed health system and Washington's hyper-partisan health care politics. By James Kitfield

Business

Before Resigning, Shinseki Announces Several Reforms at VA

VA Secretary Eric Shinseki took a parting shot before quitting Friday as he fired several senior leaders and canceled bonuses. By Sarah Mimms

Business

Here's the Man Who Will Replace Shinseki at the VA

Sloan Gibson, the former head of the USO, will step in as acting secretary of the Veterans Affairs Department. By Marina Koren

Business

Shinseki Resigns

With mounting calls for his resignation and a growing scandal over wait lists at veterans hospitals, VA Secretary Eric Shinseki steps down. By Stephanie Gaskell

Business

Why Did It Take So Long for the VA Scandal to Go Public?

Despite passage of the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act, its effects are not being felt in government offices. By Alesh Houdek

Policy

VA Official Says There Are No Secret Wait Lists

During a testy 4-hour hearing on the Hill Wednesday night, a top Veterans Affairs official said the waiting lists were produced automatically by their data system. By Sarah Mimms

Science & Tech

The Military Is Building Brain Chips to Treat PTSD

The Defense Department is developing a new, mood-predicting brain chip to treat PTSD in soldiers. By Patrick Tucker

Business

VA Inspector General Says Wait Lists Are a ‘Systemic Problem'

The IG report confirms that 1,700 veterans waited at least 115 days for care at the VA hospital in Phoenix as the investigation widens to 46 facilities. By Sarah Mimms

Policy

House Bill Shifts Some Nuclear Weapons Funds To Pay for Veterans Care

Refurbishing old nukes can wait. Improving veterans’ healthcare and financial options can't, House lawmakers say. By Douglas P. Guarino

Policy

4 Things Washington Could Do Right Now to Fix the VA

A few common hurdles to VA care could be overcome today to help address the ongoing scandal. Here are four ways to start making some progress. By Jordain Carney and Stacy Kaper

Policy

Keep Him! VA Problems Not On Shinseki, Says Sanders

What VA Secretary Shinseki has done to improve the agency outweighs the hospital scandal that deserves larger context, Sanders argues. By Kevin Baron

Policy

House Passes 'Politicizing' Bill To Help Fire VA Executives

Tough talking lawmakers passed a bill claiming to make it easier to fire VA executives but one that a federal workers' group says is unnecessary. By Kellie Lunney

Policy

Obama Puts Shinseki On Notice

The VA secretary got a reprieve but not a full pardon, as Obama promises "consequences" if allegations prove true. By George E. Condon, Jr.

Policy

Fixing the VA Is (Finally) Obama’s Problem

By shielding VA Secretary Shinseki, President Obama just took ownership of the problem. Now he has to prove that his administration can finally fix it. By Stephanie Gaskell

Policy

Why Is Shinseki Refusing More Authority To Fire VA Employees?

Under pressure to clean house, VA Secretary Eric Shinseki says a House bill that gives him more power to fire bad employees goes too far. By Stephanie Gaskell

Business

Is Obama to Blame for Failures at the VA?

Obama, Bush, Congress, and presidents going back to JFK all bear some of the responsibility. By Jordain Carney and Stacy Kaper