Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
At VA, Whistleblowers Are 10 Times More Likely To Receive Disciplinary Action Than Their Colleagues
The U.S. Government Accountability Office's report says VA whistleblowers are far more likely than their colleagues to face discipline or removal after reporting misconduct. It also found that senior VA managers are sometimes not held accountable for substantiated misconduct and that managers accused of wrongdoing sometimes investigate themselves. (Westervelt, 7/19)
A U.S. soldier asked a federal judge to bar the Trump administration from firing HIV-positive service members from the military under a new 鈥淒eploy or Get Out!鈥 policy intended to improve readiness. The policy, announced in February, directs the Pentagon to discharge service members who can鈥檛 be deployed outside of the U.S. for more than 12 consecutive months 鈥渇or any reason.鈥 It takes effect Oct. 1. (Larson, 7/19)
Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), the chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, said earlier Thursday that the Senate should vote to confirm Wilkie 鈥渨ithout delay.鈥 "It is of utmost importance that any policy changes that impact the future of the department be made by a confirmed VA secretary who can be held accountable by Congress and the American people," Isakson said. (Carney, 7/19)
