Printer Friendly Page

FORMER VA SECRETARY PRINCIPI BACKS PRESUMPTIVE

ELIGIBILITY FOR VETERANS' BENEFITS -- Anthony J.

Principi: "You take care of the kid first, and you

worry about the paperwork later."

 

Former VA Secretary Anthony J. Principi

 

Story here... http://www.norwichbulletin.com/apps/
pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070513/CO
LUMNISTS11/705130314/1014/OPINION

Story below:

---------------

Column: Ex-BRAC leader lends perspective to VA scandals

By RAY HACKETT
Norwich Bulletin

I called a friend last week because I wanted to talk about some disturbing news coming out of Washington regarding services being provided to veterans.

His name is Anthony Principi, the head of governmental affairs for Pfizer. Around these parts, Tony is better known as the former chairman of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission, one of the heroes who championed the effort to remove the Groton submarine base from the Pentagon closure list two years ago.

Prior to that, Principi, a decorated Vietnam veteran, served as secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs during the first four years of President Bush's administration.

I wanted to talk to him about the Walter Reed Hospital scandal. The BRAC Commission he chaired in 2005 recommended its closure. I also wanted to talk to him about the controversy surrounding the bonuses given to executives at the VA. I've always found him to be a straight shooter, and was sure I'd get an insightful perspective on both. I wasn't disappointed.

But first, a small distinction some might not know.

Walter Reed is not part of the VA system. It's a U.S. Army facility under the direction of the Pentagon. The recent criticism being directed at VA executives concerning bonuses in light of the Walter Reed scandal is a bit unfair, since those executives had no control of the hospital.

"The average man or woman probably doesn't understand that," Principi said. "And, rightfully so. Because it shouldn't matter whether it's Department of Defense or VA. We should all be held accountable."

Officials' reactions

As disturbing as he found the news accounts of the poor treatment and deplorable conditions in Building 18 at the facility, what really angered Principi was the reaction from those in charge. And, in particular, the comments of former Army Surgeon General Kevin C. Kiley, the top official. When asked about conditions at Building 18, Kiley's response was, "I don't do barracks."

"I would have fired him on the spot for that," Principi said. "When you're in command, your men come first. The men under my command ate first before me or my officers. They slept first."

But what's worse, he said, was the shadow the scandal now casts over the work being performed at the main facility. The BRAC Commission did not recommend its closure because services were poor. It was recommended for closure because it is an aging facility.

"The care that our veterans are getting in the main facility is second to none," he said. "The people working there are the very best."

And, so are the individuals at the VA who find themselves amid the controversy about the bonuses, he said. He not only knows them personally, in some cases it was he who appointed them to the positions they hold.

"I'm very upset about what's happening to these very dedicated people," he said. "I can assure you they are hard-working public servants who could be earning a hell of a lot more in the private sector."

Rita Reed, the deputy assistant secretary of the budget, and William Feeley, deputy undersecretary for health operations and management, have come under fire for a $1 billion shortfall in the 2005 VA budget that failed to take into account the additional costs that would be needed to care for wounded soldiers from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. They each received a $33,000 performance-based bonus.

Ronald Aument, deputy undersecretary for benefits, is taking heat for his $33,000 performance-based bonus despite hundreds of thousands of backlogged claims from veterans yet to be processed.

Not inappropriate

Critics charge that given the circumstances, the bonuses don't seem justified. Principi disagrees, while admitting there are problems at the VA that need to be addressed. But, he remains convinced the people working at the VA are dedicated civil servants trying to solving those problems.

"Look, I'm a fiscal conservative," Principi said, "and I monitored those bonuses when I was secretary. These are good people. They didn't just show up and work 8 to 4 and then go home. They were there late into the night, and if I needed them on weekends, they were in before me and still there when I left."

As for the backlog of claims, Principi has a simple solution -- presumptive eligibility.

"You take care of the kid first, and you worry about the paperwork later," he said.

He declined to offer an opinion of VA Secretary Jim Nicholson, who last week told Congress the backlog in processing claims is unacceptable and personally promised to take responsibility for implementing much-needed changes.

I don't know Jim Nicholson, never met him.

But I do know Principi. He is a leader, and he is passionate, especially when it comes to veterans and those who are serving in the military.

We need more people like him in government.

Ray Hackett is the Norwich Bulletin's chief political reporter, with more than 30 years experience covering politics on the local, state and national level. He has covered Connecticut politics for the Bulletin for more than 19 years. His column appears Sundays. Reach him at 425-4225 or rhackett@norwichbulletin.com

---------------

Larry Scott  --