I'm up to speed on this issue. The VA has been trying to insitiute a bonus program for VA employees. They want to give bonuses to VA employees for things like showing up on time for work, observing hygene rules for employees, and other stuff which is already part of thier job descriptions. It amounts to taking away money that could be used to hire doctors and giving to self serving bureucrats. The entire VA department needs to get cleaned up before they get more money. The stench of Clinton has not been removed from the Veterans Adminstration just yet.
The VA has been a disgrace for many years. The quality of care is similar to that provided in third-world countries. In fact, that is where many VA doctors come from! They are willing to work cheap and you get what you pay for. The Pharmacy is up-to-date, for the 1950's, and the newer drugs are not available because they are too costly. Even getting an appointment with Dr. Rahman-alBhuti may take two years. I have been waiting OVER two years for an appointment at my local VA clinic.
Don't get me started on the "wonderful" benifits of the BX/PX, and the commissary!