VA Cleared to Appoint Legal Guardians
VA awarded authority to appoint legal guardians for impaired veterans
By Patricia Kime
An agreement between the Justice Department and the Department of Veterans Affairs allows the VA to put veterans under guardianship if they are unable to make their own health care decisions.
A memorandum of understanding announced last week by the department gives VA attorneys the legal authority to enter into state court guardianships or conservatorship proceedings in cases where veterans don’t have family or legal representation to determine medical treatment.
VA officials say the process will help hundreds of veterans hospitalized at VA facilities who are unable to transition to more appropriate settings.
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Carl Blake, CEO of Paralyzed Veterans of America, said court-ordered guardianships or conservatorships could result in a veteran’s loss of rights or lead to unnecessary institutionalization.Blake asked how the VA previously met the needs of incapacitated veterans and whether they would have access to their own legal representation — paid for by the VA — if necessary.
“I’m from the Government, I’m here to help.” Which is it? VA Watchdogs please keep a very close eye on this.
Category: Big Pentagon, Veteran Health Care
So, will these attorneys who are VA employees work in the best interest of the veterans, or the VA’s institutional interests?
Some will, some won’t. Some will rob them blind if history is any guide. Minimum oversight will be the rule and then when rampant corruption is uncovered everyone will pretend like they are shocked.
I’ve seen plenty of judges and lawyers go to prison for stealing from the incompetent. No way a VA employee will be able to resist.
You left out the obvious third choice.