American
Legion National Commander Daniel M. Dellinger issued the following
statement regarding today’s resignation of Department of Veterans
Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki:
"It
is not the solution, yet it is a beginning. The solution is not
complete with Shinseki's resignation. Too many veterans have waited far
too long to receive the benefits that they have earned. Wait times are
increasing even for fully developed claims. But it was never just about
a few of the top leaders. The solution is to weed out the incompetence
and corruption within the VHA and the VBA so the dedicated employees can
continue to perform admirably on behalf of our nation's veterans. The
American Legion's members and professional staff stand ready to assist
in any way feasible.”
The
American Legion was the first major veterans service organization to
call for the resignations of the top three officials at VA following
revelations of secret patient waiting lists, inadequate care, and
excessive and undeserved bonuses to managers at dozens of VA Medical
Centers throughout the United States. Undersecretary for Health Robert
Petzel resigned on May 16. No announcement has yet been made about the
other official, Undersecretary for Benefits Allison Hickey.
“The
American Legion congratulates Acting VA Secretary Sloan Gibson and we
look forward to working with him,” Dellinger added. “Secretary Gibson is
assuming an awesome responsibility, which will require decisive action
and the changing of an entire culture. Veterans deserve the best this
country can offer.”
veterans
