Murkowski Morning Meeting For Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Note to readers: The Murkowski Morning Meeting team hopes that everyone had a good Fourth of July weekend. Though Committee activity – particularly on Alaska-related issues – is light this week, we’re determined to keep you in the loop while not unnecessarily filling your e-mail boxes up.

What DC is Reading

• Politico: Health Care Bill Set for September Premium Increases
• Wall Street Journal: Why Didn’t the FBI Director Report Missing IRS E-mails?
• Washington Post: Children Of Same-Sex Couples Are Happier And Healthier Than Peers, Research Shows

U.S. House Events

Accountability at the VA

Alaskan Impact: Veterans throughout Alaska are speaking out about the inferior healthcare they are receiving from the VA, spurred on by whistleblowers seeking to reform the process from within. While in Wasilla last week, Senator Murkowski held a listening session with local vets to hear about their concerns with the healthcare they have received through the VA, and some expressed their worries that there would be a sense of retaliation from the VA for sharing their stories. Later today, the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee will hold a hearing to discuss the VA situation nationwide – and whistleblower protections.

3:30p.m. AKDT

House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Hearing

Topic: “VA Whistleblowers: Exposing Inadequate Service Provided to Veterans and Ensuring Appropriate Accountability”

Witnesses:

• Jose Mathews, M.D., Former Chief of Psychiatry, St. Louis VA Health Care System
• Christian Head, M.D., Associate Director–Chief of Staff–Legal and Quality Assurance, Greater Los Angeles VA Health Care System
• Kathrine Mitchell, M.D., Medical Director, Iraq and Afghanistan Post-Deployment Center, Phoenix VA Health Care System
• Mr. Scott Davis, Program Specialist, VA National Health Eligibility Center
• The Honorable Carolyn Lerner
• Eric Bachman, Deputy Special Counsel for Litigation and Legal Affairs, Office of Special Counsel
• James Tuchschmidt, M.D., Acting Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Health, Department of Veterans Affairs
• Edward C. Huycke, M.D., Deputy Medical Inspector for National Assessment, Office of the Medical Inspector, Department of Veterans Affairs

For more information on the hearing click here.