What do you think about Legislation would better protect whistleblowers at VA and government-wide from retaliation

Sgt David G Duchesneau — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 19:56:06 -0400

The Dr. Chris Kirkpatrick Whistleblower Protection Act is named after Dr. Chris Kirkpatrick, a psychologist at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Tomah, Wisconsin, who was fired after he questioned the over-medication of veterans being treated at the facility. Tragically, Dr. Kirkpatrick committed suicide on the day of his termination.
"We have heard far too many stories of federal employees getting punished for doing the right thing and speaking up about misconduct or mismanagement,” said Senator Ayotte. “This bill will put in place needed protections across the federal government and specifically at the VA while sending a clear message that retaliating against whistleblowers is unacceptable and has serious consequences.”
“This legislation is directed at providing VA whistleblowers protection to help prevent tragedies like the suicide of Dr. Chris Kirkpatrick."

So, do you think this will work? Will this Legislation stop all the bullshit and get things back on track at the VA? God, I hope so because something has to shake up the VA to get it to work the way it was intended for all of our Veterans in need.

Response by GySgt Moses Lozano made Oct 2 at 2015 8:13 PM

GySgt Moses Lozano — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 20:13:38 -0400

It is needed for those who have the intestinal fortitude to report valid offenses.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 2 at 2015 8:18 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 20:18:07 -0400

Absolutely!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 2 at 2015 8:22 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 20:22:27 -0400

That's like saying the Army will conduct Operation Kill Taliban without a strategy and TTPs. I fail to understand how an organization of 350,000 that has caused indefensible harm to veterans can now become altruistic and self policing.

Response by SGT Forrest Stewart made Oct 2 at 2015 8:23 PM

SGT Forrest Stewart — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 20:23:08 -0400

I hope so too Dave.

Response by Sgt Spencer Sikder made Oct 2 at 2015 8:24 PM

Sgt Spencer Sikder — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 20:24:10 -0400

Hopefully it's fashioned better than the VA Accountability Act.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Oct 4 at 2015 11:19 AM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Sun, 04 Oct 2015 11:19:11 -0400

No legislation alone will cause cultural change. That needs to come from above in management, and from below on the deckplates at the same time...

Response by PO1 John Miller made Oct 6 at 2015 9:12 AM

PO1 John Miller — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 09:12:32 -0400