Veterans for Common Sense to have answers on how to "Fix VA"

VCS Public Advocacy in Action: VCS to Hold Press Conference Friday, April 9
Written by VCS
Wednesday, 07 April 2010 07:36
Veteran Advocacy Group to Announce New Program to Fix VA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Bill Morgan, Veterans for Common Sense
Contact@veteransforcommonsense.org


On April 9, Veterans for Common Sense (VCS) will be joined by Congressman Bob Filner to host a press conference to announce a new program, “Fix VA,” to reform the Veterans Affairs Department (VA). When: Friday, April 9, 2010 – 10:30 a.m. (press should arrive by 10:15 a.m.)
Where: The Westgate Hotel, 1055 Second Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101

Who: Veterans for Common Sense Executive Director, Paul Sullivan, a Gulf War Veteran and a former VA analyst: For 18 years, Paul Sullivan has been dedicated to ensuring that Gulf, Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans get healthcare and disability benefits they earned and deserve. Veterans for Common Sense uses the government’s own data through the Freedom of Information Act to expose the real human costs of the conflicts.

In 2007, Paul worked behind the scenes to help journalists break stories about the dramatic increase in suicides and other mental health problems plaguing returning veterans. His organization publicly fought the VA to force the release of documents indicating the reality of the long-term health issues faced by U.S. veterans, including recent appearances on “60 Minutes,” and CNN.

Congressman Bob Filner, the Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, who is meeting with Veterans for Common Sense and other veterans organizations in San Diego on the morning of the 9th, will attend the press conference and make comments.
What:
• The launch of the new VCS program, “Fix VA” and new http://www.fixva.org/ website.
• Information obtained through the Freedom of Information Act showing the current human costs of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
• A set of practical, implementable solutions for fixing the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), the VA agency responsible for processing disability benefit claims.
Veterans for Common Sense is a non-profit based in Washington, DC providing advocacy for veterans. Founded in 2002 by Gulf War veterans, VCS testifies regularly before Congress about veterans’ healthcare and disability benefits. For more information about VCS, please visit our web site: http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/undefined