VA confiscates reporter's equipment after he interviews a veteran about shoddy care.

UPDATE from the OP link

Facing pressure from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, the VA today agreed to return Schultz's equipment. "After reviewing all the facts surrounding the incident of April 7th and actions since, VA has arranged the return of the flash drive to WAMU," said VA spokesperson Katie Roberts. "We make every effort to protect the privacy of our patients and to ensure that they are able to make informed decisions about what information they release or discuss with the public while in a VA facility."

Persoally, I wonder if there will still be anything ON that Flash Drive

The easiest solution to that problem? Cameras and recording equipment that can send the information recorded to the internet automatically. By the time they try to seize the camera the info is already on Youtube. Or Myspace. Would solve a lot of problems that way.

Just a thought.

Follow up on this with additional details---This could get quite interesting...Make sure to see the transcript and listen to the interview:

The interview the VA didn’t want you to hear.

Last week, WAMU reporter Eric Schultz attempted to interview Tommie Canady about the poor treatment he said veterans were receiving from the VA. In the middle of the interview, however, VA communications specialist named Gloria Hairston “stopped Schultz and wouldn’t let him leave until he handed over his [recording] equipment.” After significant public outcry, the VA returned Schultz’s equipment. Today, WAMU aired Schultz’s interview with Canady that the VA didn’t want the public to hear:

Full article and interview:

thinkprogress.org...

I am a Vet and use the VA as my health care provider and I find their services Outstanding! In addition to caring for injures, they have discovered other medical problems I need care for that my private Doctors never noticed. My VA doc is a retired private practice MD that decided to serve Vets as a way of giving back. Thanks VA

Originally posted by Bejing
I am a Vet and use the VA as my health care provider and I find their services Outstanding! In addition to caring for injures, they have discovered other medical problems I need care for that my private Doctors never noticed. My VA doc is a retired private practice MD that decided to serve Vets as a way of giving back. Thanks VA

I am guessing that there most not be very many Vets that have seen this post.

Of course their are some lousy VA hospitals and most of them are in the larger cities where the number of Vets exceed the size of the facility and this creates nightmares for the providers and for the Vets that so need the care.
These Vets usually have needs that go far beyond just the administration of medical care and it is not fair that the VA be blamed for all the ills that are part of this package.

Most VA's and the staff that work in them bend over backwards to do the best they can with what they have.

I am a Vet and I work in a very large prestigious private hospital. I have the option to use the hospital where I work or any other hospital in the area where I live. I "choose" to use the VA because I personally feel that the VA is superior by far to any private hospital in my area.

I am surprised that more Vets are not speaking up for the VA. It may not be perfect but is better than a lot of other hospitals out there.