$100M theft from military children’s fund – Class action ear plug law suit victory – Quality issues at community hospitals – Business veteran readiness – And 230,000 veterans claims lost in VA online application systems.
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Army employee charged with stealing $100 million from fund for military children
“STARS AND STRIPES” By J.P. Lawrence
“An Army civilian employee in Texas is accused in a federal indictment of stealing more than $100 million from a fund meant to help military children.
Janet Yamanaka Mello, 57, was indicted Wednesday in a San Antonio district court on 10 total criminal counts including mail fraud, engaging in a monetary transaction using criminal proceeds and aggravated identity theft.
Federal prosecutors say Mello used her position as a financial program manager for Child, Youth and School services at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio to steer 4-H Military Partnership Grant program funds into a shell company she controlled.”
More: https://www.stripes.com/branches/army/2023-12-07/army-manager-fraud-farm-kids-12284715.html
US troops can declare victory in 3M class action lawsuit
“MILITARY TIMES” By Terrence M. Andrews
“Recently, the Minnesota-based 3M agreed to settle the class action suit for a total amount of $6 billion, consisting of $5 billion in stock and $1 billion in 3M stock, which would be paid out over six years until 2029. 3M did not admit liability in either this or the $9.1 million settlement.
Although every manufacturer should exercise due care and caution before it sends any product into the stream of commerce, those getting military contracts should exercise extra caution since any potential default could have exponential impacts in combat situations.
Veterans are dying because Congress and the VA refuse to impose quality standards for community care
“TASK AND PURPOSE” By Russell Lemle
“The Journal of the American Medical Association published a meticulous study that showed veterans have a higher likelihood of dying if they choose care in the community rather than Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals. As time slips by, the refusal of Congress and the VA to impose quality standards for contracted providers continues to contribute to needless veteran deaths.
Most dramatically, veterans who had an ambulance transport them to a non-VA emergency department were 46 percent more likely to die in the following month than if they were taken to a VA hospital. The greater mortality in non-VA hospitals was evident for every one of the 140 communities studied.
However, the point here isn’t to question whether veterans should have the option to obtain private sector care when authorized, though they might have second thoughts if they were better informed. What’s deeply concerning — and unsupportable — is that both Congress and the VA refuse to stipulate that contract providers abide by the lifesaving quality standards that are enforced across VA services.”
More: https://taskandpurpose.com/opinion/congress-va-quality-standards-community-care/
Why American business should be military ready
“MILITARY TIMES” By Jonathan Fermin-Robbins
“What’s needed is targeted support for hiring managers. What’s necessary is a national focus on being military ready versus military friendly. “Military ready” may be defined as the ongoing transformation of a business to successfully attract, support, and retain diverse, military-connected talent.
Business leaders can focus on three areas of opportunities to become military ready.
1. Establish strategic intent: Executive leaders must prioritize programs that not only attract veteran talent but support their existing military-connected employees. This kind of approach mirrors the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Principles of Excellence for institutions of higher learning in which the leadership mandates broad-reaching organizational changes to ensure coverage across all areas of the business.
2. Apply customized solutions: Employers must recognize that there is no cookie-cutter solution to an effective military inclusivity program. What works at other organizations may not fit within the established culture within their own business. To do this, consider establishing a coalition of support from military-connected employees and advocates that assess the state of the inclusivity program and are empowered to affect change.
3. Seek out partnerships: Businesses should actively seek out and participate in programs or partnerships with organizations focused on supporting the military-connected community. By partnering with such organizations, businesses can gain access to valuable resources, support and guidance on how to effectively attract, support and retain military-connected employees.”
More: https://www.militarytimes.com/opinion/2023/12/06/why-american-business-should-be-military-ready/
Total number of VA claims lost in online systems tops 120,000
“FEDERAL TIMES” By Leo Shane III
“Veterans Affairs leaders on Monday acknowledged that more than 120,000 veterans who attempted to use department online platforms to file for benefits in recent years were stonewalled by technical problems, a total nearly 35% larger than previously reported.
Officials said they are still working to correct those errors and process those claims as quickly as possible. But House lawmakers raised concerns about the scope of the problems, some of which date back more than a decade.”
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