Benefits
Shinseki orders care for vets left off Phoenix waiting list
Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki said he has ordered the Phoenix VA Health Care System to immediately triage for care 1,700 veterans who VA's Office of Inspector General found were waiting for a primary care appointment but were not on the facility's waiting list.
Benefits
DOD to review military healthcare system
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel this week ordered a comprehensive review of the military health system.
Benefits
VA OIG releases interim report on Phoenix facility
An ongoing review of the Department of Veterans Affairs Phoenix Health Care System by the department's Office of Inspector General has identified 1,700 veterans who were waiting for a primary care appointment but were not on the facility's waiting list, according to an interim report issued by the OIG.
Benefits
VA effort to speed medical care will enlist private resources
The Department of Veterans Affairs on May 24 issued a statement saying that it has "redoubled" its efforts to provide veterans with high quality care—and that it "has taken steps at national and local levels to ensure timely access to care" that includes pulling in private health care resources.
Benefits
Shinseki tells vets VA will regain their trust
Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki addressed allegations of VA employee misconduct in a message to veterans in advance of the Memorial Day holiday, and offered assurances that the department would re-earn veterans' trust.
Benefits
VA head testifies before Senate committee
Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki told a Senate panel this week that VA will take timely action if allegations of misconduct within the department are substantiated by the department's inspector general, but also reminded senators that VA succeeds on a daily basis at providing a massive amount of care for vets.
Benefits
More USPS losses; CFO says prefunding fix is no cure
The U.S. Postal Service recorded yet another quarter of net losses in spite of cost-cutting measures, and warned that without reform legislation it would miss yet another payment to prefund retiree health benefits.
Benefits
Eleven charged with Workers' Compensation fraud
Federal officials on May 6 announced charges against 11 federal employees for allegedly defrauding the Workers' Compensation program by claiming to be injured or disabled.
Benefits
Bill would amend FECA to address fed firefighters' ailments
Two senators have proposed legislation to amend current law to make it simpler for federal firefighters to receive worker's compensation for certain diseases acquired in the line of duty.
Benefits
Senate to probe allegations of patient neglect at VA facility
The Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs will hold a hearing on alleged patient neglect at a Department of Veterans Affairs hospital in Phoenix, Ariz., after the department's inspector general completes an independent investigation of the allegations.
Benefits
Tricare launches new medical advice phone service
Tricare on April 25 introduced a new service through which beneficiaries can seek real-time advice on whether or not to seek medical care.
Benefits
Former USPS employees plead guilty in benefits case
Two former U.S. Postal Service employees pleaded guilty earlier this month to providing false statements to obtain federal employee benefits, according to the Justice Department.
Benefits
Survey shows vets satisfied with VHA service
While some members of Congress may not be pleased with the performance of Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities, VA is touting an independent survey that indicates customer satisfaction among their patients is equal to or greater than that of patients of private-sector hospitals.
Retirement
Get your House in order
Feds, now may be your chance to make yourself heard by your member of Congress.
Employee Policy
House passes Ryan budget
The House on April 10 passed the fiscal 2015 budget resolution sponsored by Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.).
Benefits
GAO finds faulty tracking of biological implants at VA
The origin of some of the tens of thousands of biological implants used last year in procedures at the Department of Veterans Affairs was never properly recorded.
Employee Policy
Labor says postal reform proposals do not acknowledge USPS gains
A hearing held this week by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee to examine the Obama administration's proposal for reforming the U.S. Postal Service served to highlight how closely that proposal generally tracks plans being proposed in Congress.
Employee Policy
Student loan repayment benefit not widely used
While the House Republicans' budget blueprint would end the student loan repayment benefit for federal employees, agencies appear to be investing less in that fringe benefit in any event.
Pay
Senate panel advances mass transit benefit bill
The Senate Finance Committee on April 3 approved a measure that would restore employee mass transit benefits for two years.
Benefits