Obama 'not satisfied' with progress at VA hospitals

David Jackson | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Obama faces veterans amid Iran, care concerns U.S. President Barack Obama faced a convention of veterans as concerns run high about Iran, veterans' care and a shooting rampage against U.S. Marines. (July 21)

Making a general defense of his foreign and veterans' affairs policies, President Obama told the VFW Tuesday he is "still not satisfied" with the performance of VA medical facilities.

"We are not going to let up," Obama said as he pledged to continue working to reduce long wait times and backlogs at hospitals that serve veterans.

During his speech, Obama also promoted the Iran nuclear agreement and the U.S.-led fight against Islamic State aggression in Iraq and Syria. He also discussed new consumer protection rules for veterans and their families.

"VFW, our nation endures because citizens like you put on the uniform and serve to keep us free," Obama told the 116th National Convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Pittsburgh.

The Obama administration has been criticized for the quality of VA medical facilities, and some of that criticism followed the president to the VFW convention.

"Despite replacement of the VA's top leadership and more funding from Congress in the year since the wait list scandal, the situation within VA continues to deteriorate," said a statement from Pete Hegseth, CEO of Concerned Veterans for America. "Wait times for health care have actually increased in many parts of the country," he said.

Obama said his team has made progress in addressing VA problems, but more needs to be done. "We're going to keep cutting the disability claims backlog," he said. "I can report that since its peak two years ago, we've now cut the backlog by 80%."

Cory Fritz, a spokesman for House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, challenged Obama's claims of progress, and said the president "still doesn’t have a plan to change the culture at the VA."

Fritz and other Republicans cited claims that many veterans awaiting care have already died, but the Veterans Administration said the critics are using a report that refers to pending enrollments, not patients who are already in the system.

In discussing veterans' policies overall, Obama also announced new rules to crack down on so-called "payday lenders" and others who prey on service members and their families. "Some of the worst abusers, like payday lenders, are exploiting loopholes to trap our troops in a vicious cycle of crushing debt," he said.

In discussing programs to help veterans get jobs, attend college and end homelessness, Obama said that "we’re going to keep helping our newest veterans transition to civilian life."

The president also paid tribute to the four Marines and sailor who died after last week's mass shooting in Chattanooga, Tenn. After the speech, Obama issued a proclamation ordering that flags be flown at half-staff in honor of the shooting victims.

In a wide-ranging defense of his foreign policy, Obama promoted the Iran nuclear deal in the face of what he called "a lot of shaky information out there." He told VFW members that the agreement announced last week includes inspections to make sure Iran does not develop nuclear weapons and avoids the prospect of another war in the Middle East.

"With this deal, we have a chance to resolve the challenge of Iran trying to get a nuclear weapon, peacefully," Obama said. "Without it, we risk yet another conflict in the Middle East."

In citing the battle against the Islamic State, Obama told the crowd of veterans that "we will degrade and ultimately destroy this barbaric terrorist organization" and ticked off the names of terrorist leaders killed in U.S. military action, including Osama bin Laden.

Offering an analysis of his foreign policy approach, Obama said that for too long there had been "a mindset where the first instinct when facing a challenge in the world was to send in our military." The results included an expensive war in Iraq.

The United States must also lead with economic and diplomatic tools, Obama said, adding that "we cannot expect our military to bear the entire burden of our national security alone -- everybody has to support our national security."

While the U.S. is saving money from the end of combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, Obama also criticized "reckless budget cuts" that are undermining military strength. He again called on congressional Republicans to end the series of automatic budget cuts known as sequestration.

"That’s not the way to keep our armed forces ready," Obama said, "or to take care of our troops and their families."

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