November 14, 2008
From:
Carl G. Mueller, Nam 68
PO Box 120707
Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
To Whom It May Concern: AND
U.S. Congressman Jerry Lewis,... Phone: (909) 792-5901
US House of Representatives,...... Fax: (909) 335-9155
1150 Brookside Ave., Suite J-5
Redlands, CA 92373
Dear Congressman Lewis and others of concern:
Subject:
Veterans Administration Hospital volunteers who advise sick and injured Veterans need to be replaced and funds provided so doctors can advise, control and coordinate the benefits in relation to the medical problem.
The below VA hospital letter dated November 5, 2008 By Loma Linda Public Affairs Officer Annie R. Tuttle is typed word for word. [US mail receivers also get a copy of Tuttle’s letter] The sad thing in the below letter states, in the last paragraph third sentence, that they the VA Hospital / Loma Linda Health Care System has no supervisory control over the volunteer “veteran services organizations.” One such example is the Veterans of Foreign Wars, VFW. These volunteers are not held accountable by the hospital for what they say to the Veterans. Most of these Veterans are mentally sick or injured and seeking advice about benefits. These volunteers are not medically licensed and according to two major National lawsuits deliberately misdiagnosing Veterans with PTSD.
As Annie Tuttle informed me in person, she is well aware of the two National lawsuits against the VA Health Care System for deliberately misdiagnosing Veterans with PTSD. The sad fact is, Veterans are committing suicide at epidemic proportions. With that being said I feel Tuttle is not forthcoming in her letter’s last paragraph when she implies that “veteran service organization volunteers” are expected to act like professional medical advisors, regardless of their medical training. For support of my above suicide and PTSD claims go to http://ptsdcombat.blogspot.com/ and http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/
Therefore I request you Congressman Lewis with the help of our two CA Senators to provide competent legislation so medical TRANSPARENT watchdog groups can supervise and assist doctors in subscribing benefits that are suitable to the Veterans medical diagnoses. Your willingness to do this could be negotiated in stopping the lawsuit(s). As a politician once said not so long ago, “Change starts from the bottom up”.
Many of us have not forgotten how the Bush military administration attempted to cover up Pat Tillman’s death. Do you remember that documents showed that officers made erroneous initial reports and destroyed evidence?
New:
Vet Suicide on the Rise Online NewsHour November 10, 2008 ...
Posted: November 10, 2008, ... Affairs provides health care, including mental healthcare, to the nation's 25 million veterans. ... Check back on Wednesday, Nov. ...
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/forum/health/july-dec08/vetsuicide_11-10.html
November 5, 2008 letter by Loma Linda VA Public Affairs Officer Annie R. Tuttle.
VA Loma Linda Healthcare System
11201 Benton Street
Loma Linda, CA 92357
November 5, 2008 ........... In Reply Refer To: 605/002
Mr. Carl Mueller
PO Box 120707
Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
Mr. Mueller:
This letter is a summary of phone calls that you and I have had about your complaints against Veterans of Foreign War (VFW) Volunteer Service Officer Curtis Hobbs.
(Note by me Carl: Curtis Hobbs is a civilian not a military services officer. Service Officer is a generic title given to all of Loma Linda VA hospital volunteers.)
As we discussed the day you reported the incident to the Loma Linda VA Medical Center, the behavior you described to us is not acceptable in this Medical Center. I contacted the VFW Supervisor Scott Langhoff about our complaint. He did share with me his plans to speak with Mr. Hobbs and take corrective action as indicated. I also spoke to Mr. Hobbs personally and told him that the language that you reported was not acceptable in this facility and it was to cease immediately. I understand that you have contacted Mr. Langhoff and he has not returned you calls or letters. I understand how frustrating that is to you. As we discussed, there are other VFW offices on the state level that you could contact for assistance.
(Note by me Carl: Annie Tuttle and I did NOT discuss other VFW offices that I could contact. If she would of brought that up as an alternative solution I would of remembered and given her a lecture about passing the buck and incompetence my her and upper Hospital management.)
One of the visible changes I have personally seen is the closing of the VFW Office door when there are veterans in the office. In your situation, the door was open and you could not see others in the office until you entered the doorway. The door is now kept closed to protect the privacy of all veterans using VFW services. I will continue to monitor any concerns received about this office. As I shared with you, I have not seen or heard of any written statement by Mr. Hobbs on this incident.
(Note by me Carl: Tuttle shared with me the fact that she had ordered Mr. Hobbs and his VFW supervisor Mr. Langhoff to have Mr. Hobbs present her, Tuttle, a written report in answer to my formal written complaint.)
We welcome all the veterans service organizations to the facility to assist veteran in applying for monetary benefits, state programs, and other veteran benefits. Having these offices here at the facility provide a needed service to the 57,00 veterans we serve. We do not have supervisory control over these individuals but to expect them to be professional. I am sorry that you had this experience and again encourage you to contact either the County Veteran’s Affairs office of another veteran service organization so that your questions can be answered without delay.
(Note by me Carl: Expecting Volunteers of veteran service organizations to act like professional doctors is reckless selfish thinking for a Veterans Hospital and such reckless thinking contributes to the suicide epidemic.)
Sincerely,
Annie R. Tuttle
Public Affairs Officer
(End of letter)
My typed VA formal complaint about the above matter can be seen at:
http://formal-written-complaint.blogspot.com/
I have sent copies to:
Annie Tuttle Public Affairs, 4th floor
VA Hospital
11201 Benton Street
Loma Linda, CA 92357
VFW, Mr. Scott Langhof .....Phone: (619) 400-5322
8810 San Diego Dr. Suite 1161
San Diego, CA, 92108
United States Senate
Attention: Senator Akaka
Chairman Committee on Veterans’ Affairs
Washington, DC 20510-6375
Senator Barbara Boxer,
Suite 210
201 N. E Street
San Bernardino, CA 92401
Medical Center Director, 4th Floor
Loma Linda VA Hospital
11201 Benton Street
Loma Linda, CA 92357
Mr. Eddy W. Hartenstein CEO
Los Angeles Times
202 W. 1st St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Also sent copies of this letter @ email to professional writers and other intellectuals:
One of my related blogs: http://watchdog-gov-money-needed.blogspot.com/
