Hillary Clinton spoke out against problems at the Department of Veterans Affairs Tuesday, soon after suggesting the VA’s failures were “not as widespread” as Republicans have made them out to be.
Clinton vowed to fix the “absolutely inexcusable claims that are sitting in backlogs,” as well as a number of problems she called “serious, systemic and unacceptable” during a town hall event with veterans in Derry, N.H.
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Although she railed against Republicans for launching a “misguided, ideological crusade” to privatize the VA, Clinton proposed expanding veterans’ access to care in the private sector — the same idea put forward by Republicans.
Despite the similarities between her proposal and those of her political opponents, she said Republicans’ reform plans amounted to a “betrayal” for veterans.
Clinton also called for a “zero tolerance” policy for agency employees who committed abuses like those that led to the wait time scandal last year, another proposal Republicans have pushed in Congress and on the campaign trail.
“We have to do a much better job in being more timely and being more responsive,” Clinton said of the VA, noting the lengthy delays veterans face when attempting to secure treatment or benefits.
The former secretary of state hinted that inadequate funding for the VA is partially to blame for its shortcomings.
“Words are cheap. Where are the resources going to come from to fix the system?” Clinton said.
“This won’t be a photo op for me. This will be an everyday mission for me,” she added.
Clinton touted her work as first lady with veterans who suffered from “Gulf War syndrome,” an unexplained chronic illness that struck many service members returning from the 1991 conflict.
After the dust-up over Clinton’s VA comments late last month, Clinton has stepped up efforts to improve her relationship with veterans.
Her focus on fixing failures at the VA came just before Veterans Day, when the embattled agency is sure to come under greater scrutiny.
