WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama on Monday will nominate Bob McDonald, a West Point graduate who served as the chief executive of Procter & Gamble, to take over as head of the troubled Department of Veterans Affairs, according to White House officials. The unorthodox pick of a retired corporate executive whose former company produces iconic […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Augusta armory to host job fair for veterans
AUGUSTA — The Western Avenue Armory in Augusta, Maine will host a job fair geared to military veterans. The job fair will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday and include 40 employers and career resource tables. The Maine Bureau of Human Resources, Maine Department of Labor, Maine Military & Community Network […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Michaud says VA health care in Maine is ‘something to be proud of’ in speech at American Legion convention
BANGOR — U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud, the Democratic gubernatorial candidate, said the health care veterans receive here is “something to be proud of,” as a scandal over long wait times for doctors’ appointments and hidden waitlists engulfs VA facilities across the country. “You need to look no further than right here in Maine to see […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
U.S. House unanimously approves bill that gives vets more medical options
ALAN FRAM, Associated Press WASHINGTON — United and eager to respond to a national uproar, the House overwhelmingly approved legislation Tuesday to make it easier for patients enduring long waits for care at Veterans Affairs facilities to get VA-paid treatment from local doctors. The 421-0 vote was Congress’ strongest response yet to the outcry over […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
More than 57,000 veterans wait more than 90 days for VA appointments
WASHINGTON — More than 57,400 U.S. veterans have been waiting at least 90 days for a first appointment at government hospitals, said a report that broadens the scope of failings in one of the largest federal agencies. An internal review of 731 veterans’ medical facilities released Monday also showed that an additional 63,900 veterans who […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage wants president to overhaul VA
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage is one of six Republican governors asking President Barack Obama to initiate reforms in the Department of Veterans Affairs. The governors sent a letter to Obama this week following news of an attempt to cover up delays by veterans seeking getting health care. In the letter, the governors said they’re […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage joins governors in asking for VA reforms
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage is one of six Republican governors asking President Barack Obama to initiate reforms in the Department of Veterans Affairs. The governors sent a letter to Obama this week after news of an attempt to cover up delays by veterans seeking getting health care. In the letter, the governors said they’re […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki resigns
WASHINGTON — Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki resigned Friday after publicly apologizing for systemic problems plaguing the agency’s health care system. President Barack Obama said he accepted the retired four-star general’s resignation “with considerable regret” during an Oval Office meeting. Shinseki had been facing mounting calls to step down from lawmakers in both parties since a […]
Posted inLetters
G. Jones: Stay tuned for more scandals
A headline on the front page of a major newspaper read, “What lies ahead for the VA?” Considering all the scandals plaguing the Obama administration, the headline should have read “What lies ahead?” That can be looked at two ways — more scandals ahead? Most likely. More lies ahead? Even more likely. There are a […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Honor Flight brings veterans to see their national memorials
Earl Morse wants every able World War II veteran in Maine to be able to see their Washington memorial, to touch its stone pillars and arches and feel the gratitude of the country. “That is priceless,” Morse, a retired Air Force captain, said. “That is irreplaceable.” He knows. For about nine years, the physician assistant […]