The hearing will come to order. Without objection the chair is authorized to declare a recess at any time. Today is the third panel of the oversight investigation subcommittee hearing spielgtsed learning from v. A. Whistleblowers. On june 25th, the subcommittee began this hearing to discuss the importance of va whistle bloergs we heard testimony from people inside the va raising Major Concerns questions and kwerns critical problems affecting the health and well being of veterans. These witnesses were willing to below the whistle even when at risk their livelihood and careers. Unfortunately we learned the va continuing to struggle with the culture of retaliation against whistleblowers. In too many instances leadership and supervisor turned a blind eye in those in v. A. Worker frs pointed out sowers problems or pointing out bad actors ace abuseding positions or broken laws. Even worse the whistleblowers are target of active retaliation one striking example dpram dr. Catherine mitchells t
At any time. Today is the subcommittee entitled learning from va whistle blowers. On june 25th the subcommittee began this hearing to discuss the importance of va whistle blowers. We heard testimony from people inside the va who raised major questions and concerns about critical problems that affect the health and wellbeing of veterans. These witnesses were willing to blow the whistle even when it risked their live lee hood and careers. Unfortunately we learned that the va continues to struggle with the culture of retaliation against whistle blowers. In too many instances va leadership and supervisors have turned a blind eye to those in vas work force that have pointed out Serious Problems or attempted to support bad actors and even worse the whistle blowers are often the target of active retaliation. One striking example came from doctor catherine mitchells testimony. In 2014 she was one of a group of people working at the Phoenix Va Medical Center that exposed the existence of a secr
At any time. Today is the subcommittee entitled learning from va whistle blowers. On june 25th the subcommittee began this hearing to discuss the importance of va whistle blowers. We heard testimony from people inside the va who raised major questions and concerns about critical problems that affect the health and wellbeing of veterans. These witnesses were willing to blow the whistle even when it risked their live lee hood and careers. Unfortunately we learned that the va continues to struggle with the culture of retaliation against whistle blowers. In too many instances va leadership and supervisors have turned a blind eye to those in vas work force that have pointed out Serious Problems or attempted to support bad actors and even worse the whistle blowers are often the target of active retaliation. One striking example came from doctor catherine mitchells testimony. In 2014 she was one of a group of people working at the Phoenix Va Medical Center that exposed the existence of a secr
Patterns. These witnesses willing to blow the whistle even when it risked their livelihood and their careers. Unfortunately we learn the v. A. Continues to struggle with the culture of retaliation against whistleblowers. In in two instances the leadersp and supervisors have turned a blind eye to those in vas workforce that upon investors problems are tempted to expose that actors who abuse their positions or broken laws. And even worse the whistleblowers are often the target of active retaliation. One striking example came from doctor catherine mitchells testimony. In 2014 she was one of a group of people working at the phoenix v. A. Medical center that expose the existence of a secret waiting list of veterans in need of medical care. Instead of addressing this issue the phoenix the english actively worked to hide exorbitant wait times. It turned up such practices were occurring at feasts facilities nationwide. It was deliberate and health and well being of veterans was put at risk. Co
And now Veterans Affairs secretary Denis Mcdonough testifies before the senate Veterans Affairs committee on president bidens 2024 budget request for the agency. He weighed in on the camp lejeune water contamination suits, the agencys claims process and womens healthcare. There was also testimony from the heads of various veterans groups. This is just over an hour and 45 minutes. [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] i am going to call this hearing to order. We are little bit ahead. I want to thank Denis Mcdonough and our friends and partners for joining us today. For those of you joining us on television, you will hear a great opening and questioning of the secretary of the va and what is interesting is we have three folks who are going to do a combined statement which will be particularly entertaining, i think. Something to look forward to. We are here to take a closer look at the president s fiscal year 24 budget request from the department of