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UPDATE: IN DEFENSE OF PRINCIPI AND HIS FIRM -- FORMER

VA SECRETARY RECEIVES PRAISE

Former VA Secretary Anthony J. Principi may have his problems...but, he has his fans, too.

There are four background stories.

#1 here... http://www.vawatchdog.org/old%20newsflashes%20APR%2006/newsflash04-23-2006-6.htm

#2 here... http://www.vawatchdog.org/old%20newsflashes%20APR%2006/newsflash04-26-2006-5.htm

#3 here... http://www.vawatchdog.org/old%20newsflashes%20APR%2006/newsflash04-26-2006-9.htm

#4 here... http://www.vawatchdog.org/old%20newsflashes%20APR%2006/newsflash04-27-2006-10.htm

Today's story here... http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/opinion/la-lew-principi28apr28,1,2103298.story?coll=la-news-comment&ctrack=1&cset=true

Today's story below:

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VA contractor and its chairman

April 28, 2006

Re "VA Contracts Go to Ex-Chief's Company," April 23

The Disabled American Veterans organization has intimate knowledge of the role of medical services company QTC Management Inc. in the disability evaluation process, and it has found no serious problems associated with the work the firm has performed for more than eight years. It has been our experience that QTC and its chairman, Anthony Principi, have consistently adhered to the highest ethical standards.

Principi's service as secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs was marked by his commitment to this nation's servicemen and women. He has always upheld the highest standards of his office, and no one on either side of the aisle in Congress has questioned his integrity and 100% commitment to serving veterans.

DAVID W. GORMAN

Executive Director

Disabled American Veterans

Washington

•



As a former QTC employee who worked under Principi's leadership, I feel insulted by The Times associating me with some kind of unethical conspiracy. I am a registered nurse of 30 years with not one mark against my license. I would not have worked for the company you described and ruin my professional reputation. My experience with Principi was of a man whose first concern when making decisions was "How does this help serve the veteran?"

QTC performs independent medical evaluations; it is not involved in adjudicating claims, so there can be no conflict of interest. The VA, on the other hand, has historically provided both the examination by a VA-employed physician and the adjudication. This is a real conflict of interest — the only one not mentioned in your article.

When Congress decided to outsource VA disability examinations, it was in keeping with the intent of the veterans benefit program. By utilizing QTC in harmony with the VA, it created a truly honorable system to serve the disabled men and women who have served our country.

CAROLE CHERRY-DJUROVICH

Anaheim



•



Your article was misleading, especially regarding the propriety of the contracting process and the work performance of QTC Management, a Department of Veterans Affairs vendor.

The contracts between QTC and the VA were negotiated and executed by VA employees according to government rules. We are not aware of any improper communication or conduct by any official of the VA, including Principi, who recused himself from involvement with this contract. QTC's work, which is constantly reviewed, allows the VA to reach and evaluate more veterans quicker so they can get the benefits they deserve, while allowing our VA medical personnel to focus their time and attention on providing direct healthcare to veterans.

LISETTE MONDELLO

Assistant Secretary

for Public and

Intergovernmental Affairs

Department of Veterans

Affairs

Washington

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Larry Scott

(go back to VA Watchdog dot Org Home Page)

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