New VA secretary sworn in to start work

[unhappycamper]

New VA secretary sworn in to start work
By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Dec 19, 2007 12:09:14 EST

James Peake, a doctor and retired Army lieutenant general, was sworn in Tuesday so he could start work as the new secretary of the Veterans Affairs Department. His ceremonial swearing-in is planned for Wednesday.

The Vietnam combat veteran and former Army surgeon general fills a vacancy created on Oct. 1 when James Nicholson resigned. Gordon Mansfield, the deputy VA secretary, has served as acting secretary since Nicholson left.

Peake assumes the VA leadership job at a time of many challenges: a backlog of 400,000 to 600,000 benefits claim cases; complaints about long waits for medical appointments; and a steady stream of new combat veterans arriving at VA facilities expecting benefits, counseling and treatment for war-related wounds.

One of the first issues Peake will face is the 2009 budget request, which the Bush administration expects to deliver to Congress in February. Peake promised lawmakers during his confirmation hearing that he would take his case directly to the White House if the budget process results in less money than he believes is needed. He did not say what he thought was an adequate amount.

Over the last seven years, the Bush administration has dramatically increased budgets for veterans programs, but major veterans’ groups have been demanding more, arguing that the condition of VA facilities, delays in getting care, the increasingly complicated disability claims process and the fact the nation is at war all require a bigger budget.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/12/military_peake_swearingin_071219w/