Dem senator blasts VA for outsourcing veterans suicide line

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), who sits on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, blasted the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for outsourcing its suicide line.

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In an interview broadcast Sunday on AM 970 in New York, Blumenthal said he is demanding accountability from the VA on veterans’ suicides and the care offered to members of the U.S. military.

Blumenthal said that outside contractors are not qualified to handle the veterans crisis line. The Democratic senator called for “real action” over rhetoric, noting there is a bipartisan effort in Congress to address the issue.

“What we need is more than words — real action,” Blumenthal said.“The chairman of our committee [Sen.] Johnny Isakson of Georgia, who is a Republican, myself, others in the committee, are determined to do better for our veterans and we’re going to pass more appropriations and more accountability so that the VA employees are held more responsible.”

Blumenthal asserted that VA employees “were running amok” due to the lack of accountability.

The Democratic senator is working on legislation that would deny pensions for employees of the VA who are convicted of a felony.

Blumenthal also said he is confident in newly confirmed Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin.

"He’s a good man, I believe," Blumenthal said. "I have trust that he really cares about this issue."

To read more, please visit: http://thehill.com/homenews/sunday-talk-shows/331242-blument...