By Sam Frescoe,
Veteran’s Recall
http://veterans-recall.blogspot.com/
The VA is a source of
significant frustration. I understand that some vets have a good, or even great,
experience with the VA. I know one vet that owes his life to the VA. However, I
can attest to the fact that the VA is not a good solution for all vets.
Any way I look at it, the VA is
a strange animal. It’s a one-stop shop for all manner of functions. It’s a
hospital and medical clinic, but it does not seem interested in new patients.
It’s a job fair, but it does not seem to help get interviews much less a job.
It’s a benefits administrator, but after several years of applying I have not
seen a single benefit. It’s a business advisor and advocate, but it is not a
business. It’s a financial underwriter for home mortgages, but only after the
mountain of paperwork explaining that your paperwork is in fact yours
(including the paperwork explaining your requirements to provide paperwork) is
processed.
What is the VA? It’s the only
thing it could be, it’s a government bureaucracy.
Going Forward
I do like the concept embodied
by the Department of Veterans Affairs. However, I do not like how far removed
it is from the lives of veterans. In my opinion, the Department does not
operate as a benefit provider. It operates as a clearing house for political capital.
If it’s doing its job, then it is creating political capital in the form of
favorable public support for the administration. Otherwise, it serves as a
“screening force” to slow the loss of face (a derivative of political capital).
So what is the answer? I am in
favor of moving the VA closer to the veterans by moving its functions further
away from Presidential and Congressional politics. I understand that a full
removal is not possible because the VA exists by decree of the law. However, I
believe there are things that can be done.
Replace medical services with medical opportunity. Instead of
supporting regional hospitals and clinics, provide funds for veterans to
utilize medical services right where they live. Instead of funding positions,
facilities, equipment, and massive enterprise systems, steward a medical trust
fund accessible by veterans using a common access card. This approach reduces
government, increases accountability, safeguards funding sources, and directs
the demand for goods and services back to the local economy.
Replace regional job services with job solutions. Sites like
“USA Jobs” are well suited for posting opportunities. However, they are not
well suited for gaining or maintaining certifications, licenses and other
qualifications. Instead of funding positions and facilities, fund “not for
profit” organizations through performance based contracts, agreements, and
other similar instruments. This approach reduces government, increases
accountability of lobbying activities, and directs the demand for goods and
services back to the local economy.
Assist regional benefit coordination offices by increasing
self-service options. A veteran with a benefits question should not have to
struggle to get an answer at any time for any subject. I recommend starting
with increasing the ability of any veteran to determine what benefits are
available to him/her through an online portal dashboard. This dashboard should
show each available benefit, an accounting of all entitlements under each
benefit, a method of interaction for each benefit, and a means of seeking
redress for each benefit. While the several web sites of web sites may serve as
a suitable starting point, it’s time to leverage available technologies and
operate an integrated enterprise benefits management system.
Replace business advising and advocacy services with a means
to support small and medium, wholly owned by veteran, business. I recommend the
establishment of a trust fund for this purpose. Monies from the fund should be
made available to veterans to start and operate a small or medium sized
business. Small businesses receive funds through grants. Medium businesses
receive funds through loans with rates not to exceed the Treasury Bill rate
5-year average.
Concerning financial underwriting of home mortgages (I can’t
believe I am actually going to say this), I have no significant objections. Leave
it alone.
Finally, I believe the
Department of Veterans Affairs should not be a Cabinet position. I believe the
Department should be aligned as an agency on par with the IRS, EPA, OSHA, MSHA,
or other similar agency..
Your View
How would you address the VA? There
is always more than one way to get things done.
I invite you to tell me what you
believe at samfrescoe@gmail.com. I am
looking forward to addressing your comments and furthering our American
discourse. Thank you. – Sam Frescoe
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