To the editor:

Back on Jan. 8, 2002, I sat in a meeting with Veterans Affairs Secretary Anthony Principi, Sen. Sam Brownback and Rep. Jim Ryun. During that meeting, a promise was made to veterans that no decision would be made to reduce services at the Leavenworth VAMC without consultation with representatives of the veterans community. At that time, I cautioned many that the effectiveness of that group would be determined by who was selected to attend the monthly meetings. It is my understanding that the DAV and the Kansas Veterans Commission had a seat at this table. I can only assume that the VFW and the American Legion were also invited.

I honestly feel bad to say that my prediction may have been correct. Either they have been purposefully misled by the VA or they have been asleep at the switch. If misled, then I look forward to their outrage. If asleep, then I ask for their resignation from the committee and from their individual posts held as veterans representatives in their individual organizations. Has any veteran heard from this committee on what goes on behind closed doors? Not to my knowledge.

An example of why we should be outraged at the lack of information follows:

This past week, a uniformed member of the U.S. Army was visiting the VA and taking a tour. He mentioned to the chief of staff that he understood they were reducing ICU beds from seven to four; the chief of staff agreed. This is almost a 50 percent reduction. ICU staff were stunned as they hadn’t had any warning of this decision.

This coupled with other actions at the Leavenworth VAMC is what I have previously called the death by a thousand cuts.

Robert Frandsen
Vice president for Veterans Affairs,
Kansas City chapter of AUSA