American Legion asks VA Secretary to quit
INDIANAPOLIS – The American Legion called Monday for the resignations of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki and two of his top aides amid an investigation into allegations of corruption and unnecessary deaths at the veterans’ hospital in Phoenix.
Legion National Commander Daniel Dellinger accused Shinseki, Under Secretary of Health Robert Petzel and Under Secretary of Benefits Allison Hickey of poor oversight and leadership failures.
“The existing leadership has exhibited a pattern of bureaucratic incompetence and failed leadership that has been amplified in recent weeks,” he said during a news conference at the organization’s Indianapolis headquarters.
The Department of Veterans Affairs issued a statement rejecting the call for the resignations.
The Phoenix hospital has been under fire over allegations that up to 40 patients may have died because of delays in care, and the hospital kept a secret list of patients waiting for appointments to hide the treatment delays. Shinseki announced Thursday three officials there have been placed on leave.
UN: Polio now a health emergency
LONDON – The World Health Organization says the spread of polio is an international public health emergency that threatens to infect other countries with the crippling disease.
In an announcement Monday, the agency described the ongoing polio outbreaks in Asia, Africa and the Middle East as an “extraordinary” situation requiring a coordinated international response.
Polio usually strikes children younger than 5 and is usually spread via infected water. There is no specific treatment or cure, but several vaccines exist.
Experts are particularly concerned the virus continues to pop up in countries previously free of the disease, such as Syria, Somalia and Iraq – where civil war or unrest complicates efforts to contain the virus.
Healthy school lunches sometimes a hard sell
WASHINGTON – Two years in, schools are having mixed success putting new, healthier school lunch rules in place.
Some report students are excited about a variety of healthier options and have barely noticed the changes. Others say some kids are throwing fruits and vegetables away and balking at whole grains.
The requirements are part of a government effort to make school lunches and breakfasts healthier. Championed by first lady Michelle Obama, the new standards have been phased in over the last two school years, with more changes coming in 2014.
Some schools are asking Congress and the Agriculture Department to roll back some of the requirements.
Associated Press
