From: Otis
Willie
moderatingstaff@instruction.com
Sent: Friday, May 24, 2002 2:02 PM
Subject: [vetissues] VA Readying for Bioterrorism Attack
VA Readying for Bioterrorism Attack, by Suzanne Gamboa
(EXCERPT) Associated Press Writer Friday, May 24, 2002; 4:35 AM
WASHINGTON –– Veterans Affairs' policy of serving all veterans could be suspended if the agency doesn't get enough money from Congress to reduce backlogs in treatment and maintain its quality of service, VA Secretary Anthony Principi says.
Principi also said the government is installing biological decontamination centers at some veterans hospitals as part of a homeland preparedness plan that could cost up to $200 million.
In an interview with The Associated Press, Principi said the VA is struggling under a "burgeoning, staggering workload" and veterans sometimes are waiting months for care.
"In the past, the easy decision has been to let everyone come in whether you can treat them or not, just put them on waiting lists," he said. "I have a problem with...
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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A2983-2002May24.html
Otis Willie
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