Readers React: At the VA, follow the money

Our veterans deserve good and prompt medical care, just as the rest of us do. Donald Moynihan’s Op-Ed article, however, reveals disturbing information. (“The problem at the VA: ‘Performance perversity,’” Opinion, June 1)

First, Moynihan reveals a pay structure for public servants that includes bonuses. Second, it reveals that the Department of Veterans Affairs (at least in the Phoenix facility) had a 14-day target for appointments.

My response: First, public servants (paid by our tax dollars) should not receive bonuses and “incentives” for work they are already getting paid handsomely to do, what with all the benefits.

Second, I’ve been waiting for a doctor’s appointment for six weeks (the physician’s “first available”). Too often perfection is the enemy of the good.

Stephany Yablow

North Hollywood

I am a Vietnam War combat veteran as well as a retired VA physician. I find some of the congressional rhetoric, and former VA Secretary Eric Shinseki’s resignation, unsettling.

I believe Shinseki to be an honorable man and am certain that Congress has systematically underfunded the VA healthcare system.

Average compensation for hospital CEOs is about $600,000 a year, while the heads of VA hospitals typically make a base salary of about $200,000.

Does this provide incentive for some to “game” the performance pay system?

VA healthcare favorably compares with most non-VA healthcare, and I used to say that we provide excellent services despite our leadership.

I found top management at many VA facilities gave lip-service to our mission and were far more concerned with maintaining their positions and gaining bonuses.

Ronald Hamm

Los Angeles