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thisfinecrewPending Nomination of David J. Shulkin, M.D., Nominee to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs
When: Wednesday 01 February 2017 from 2.30pm
Committee Members: (as at 30 Jan) Chairman: Senator Johnny Isakson (R – GA), Senator Jerry Moran (R – KS), Senator John Boozman, (R – AR), Senator Dean Heller (R - NV), Senator Bill Cassidy (R – LA), Senator Mike Rounds (R – SD), Senator Thom Tillis (R - NC), Senator Dan Sullivan (R – AK), Ranking Member: Senator Jon Tester (D – MT), Senator Patty Murray (D – WA), Senator Bernard Sanders (D – VT), Senator Sherrod Brown (D – OH), Senator Richard Blumenthal (D - CT), Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D – HI), Senator Joe Manchin (D – WV)
What the committee should be concerned about: David Shulkin is currently undersecretary for health at the VA, which means he runs the Veterans Health Administration. He was appointed by President Obama and confirmed unanimously by the Senate in June 2015. He is a physician -- having been chief executive or chief medical officer of several hospitals and hospital systems, and also founder of a health care information company called DoctorQuality -- and would be the first VA secretary who has not served in the military.
A focus for Shulkin over the past 18 months, leading what is the country’s largest health system, has been working to improve patients’ access to care after a nationwide scandal over fudged wait lists for medical appointments under the VA's "Veterans Choice" program, which is meant to allow veterans to find private doctors. He has described the waiting times as "completely unacceptable" and said, "The first responsibility that we have to our veterans is to make sure those that need urgent care are getting care on time."
He also appears to be lukewarm (and possibly even actively opposed) to Trump's plans to expand private care for veterans even further. Although the amount of health care that veterans receive through private doctors has doubled under his leadership, he has rejected calls for broader privatization, saying that it would cost untold billions and undermine the hospital system.
Several Veterans' organisations have welcomed Shulkin's nominations, including Veterans of Foreign Wars, Concerned Veterans for America and the American Legion. Phillip Carter, an Iraq veteran who studies the agency for the Center for a New American Security, a research organization that focuses on the military and veterans, and who advised Hillary Clinton’s campaign on veterans issues, called Dr. Shulkin a smart choice, saying he was among a very small group with the expertise to run a large, complicated health care system.
Trump has apparently struggled to fill this post, having been turned down by several qualified candidates. and seems to have been forced to look inside the VA and at an Obama appointee when no suitable external candidate could be found.
Suggested action: Amazingly enough, this is apparently a GOOD pick! Whether Shulkin will be able to stand up to Trump and reject his agenda -- and whether he'll be able to keep his job if he does, given the events of the past week -- is another matter. However, it looks like this is one nomination where there's no need to call your representatives.
Housekeeping note: This is the only confirmation hearing so far scheduled for this week, but there are several votes taking place in committee today and tomorrow, which will then move to votes in the full Senate.
When: Wednesday 01 February 2017 from 2.30pm
Committee Members: (as at 30 Jan) Chairman: Senator Johnny Isakson (R – GA), Senator Jerry Moran (R – KS), Senator John Boozman, (R – AR), Senator Dean Heller (R - NV), Senator Bill Cassidy (R – LA), Senator Mike Rounds (R – SD), Senator Thom Tillis (R - NC), Senator Dan Sullivan (R – AK), Ranking Member: Senator Jon Tester (D – MT), Senator Patty Murray (D – WA), Senator Bernard Sanders (D – VT), Senator Sherrod Brown (D – OH), Senator Richard Blumenthal (D - CT), Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D – HI), Senator Joe Manchin (D – WV)
What the committee should be concerned about: David Shulkin is currently undersecretary for health at the VA, which means he runs the Veterans Health Administration. He was appointed by President Obama and confirmed unanimously by the Senate in June 2015. He is a physician -- having been chief executive or chief medical officer of several hospitals and hospital systems, and also founder of a health care information company called DoctorQuality -- and would be the first VA secretary who has not served in the military.
A focus for Shulkin over the past 18 months, leading what is the country’s largest health system, has been working to improve patients’ access to care after a nationwide scandal over fudged wait lists for medical appointments under the VA's "Veterans Choice" program, which is meant to allow veterans to find private doctors. He has described the waiting times as "completely unacceptable" and said, "The first responsibility that we have to our veterans is to make sure those that need urgent care are getting care on time."
He also appears to be lukewarm (and possibly even actively opposed) to Trump's plans to expand private care for veterans even further. Although the amount of health care that veterans receive through private doctors has doubled under his leadership, he has rejected calls for broader privatization, saying that it would cost untold billions and undermine the hospital system.
Several Veterans' organisations have welcomed Shulkin's nominations, including Veterans of Foreign Wars, Concerned Veterans for America and the American Legion. Phillip Carter, an Iraq veteran who studies the agency for the Center for a New American Security, a research organization that focuses on the military and veterans, and who advised Hillary Clinton’s campaign on veterans issues, called Dr. Shulkin a smart choice, saying he was among a very small group with the expertise to run a large, complicated health care system.
Trump has apparently struggled to fill this post, having been turned down by several qualified candidates. and seems to have been forced to look inside the VA and at an Obama appointee when no suitable external candidate could be found.
Suggested action: Amazingly enough, this is apparently a GOOD pick! Whether Shulkin will be able to stand up to Trump and reject his agenda -- and whether he'll be able to keep his job if he does, given the events of the past week -- is another matter. However, it looks like this is one nomination where there's no need to call your representatives.
Housekeeping note: This is the only confirmation hearing so far scheduled for this week, but there are several votes taking place in committee today and tomorrow, which will then move to votes in the full Senate.
no subject
Date: 2017-01-31 07:53 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-01-31 10:24 pm (UTC)(I was very pleased to get home from a nice evening out and discover the Dems have FINALLY grown some spines and are using the tools available to them to not let Mnuchin and Price out of committee yet.)
no subject
Date: 2017-01-31 11:30 pm (UTC)YES!!!! ME TOO!!! This gives me life. And hope. They are stepping up and using the damn tools of our democracy as they are meant to be used. *dances*