Democrats are in the fight here is two attacks

[Monkeyman]

First a letter Request for Investigation into Compliance with Quality of Care Guidance at the VA.
Dear Comptroller General Walker

On January 31,2002,the Under Secretary for Health of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) issued quidance (2002-006) under Executive Order 13166 to ensure our nation's veterans receive culturally and linguistically competent care. Under the directive,the VA medical facilities and vets centers were to:
1-conduct a thorough assessment of language needs of the population to be served including identifying the non-English languages that are likely to be encountered;
2-develop and implement a comprehensive language program,which includes hiring bilingual staff and interpreters for patient and client contact positions,and translating written materials (such as consent forms,notice of free language assistance and outreach materials) in languages other than english;
3-train staff on the limited English proficiency (LEP) asccess policy and on carrying it out;
4-establish vigilant monitoring and oversight to ensure that LEP persons have meaningful access to health care and serices.

Despite the VA's commitment"to makeing its programs and services accessible to ALL,"the VA has not,by its own assessment,implemented the guidance. In a letter dated March 21,2006 the VA admitted that only 43 percent of VA facilities have trained their staff to understand the VA's policy and only 24 percent of facitities have translated materials into languages they encounter. less than half of VA facilities have implemented a written policy in accordance with VA'squidance and more than one-third of facilities have failed to provide monitoring and oversight. The VA's responce did not address whether it has established vigilant monitoring and oversight to ensure that persons with LEP have meanful access to health care services.

Providing culturally and linguistically competent care for our veterans is especially important when the US Armed Forces are increasing recruiting racial and ethnic minorities. One in ten US Soldiers and one in seven Marines are Latino. Seven percent of the US Navy is Asian and Pacific Islander American.This VA guidance is scheduled to expire on January 31 2007 and we are concerned that without implementation of the guidance by the VA,our servicemen,women and their families may be lacking the care they need as they transition from military to civilian life.

Therefore,we rquest the GAO's assistance in reviewing the progress that has been made in implementing VA Guidance 2002-006 to meet the intent of Executive Order 13166. We Also Request GAO's recommendations for ways to improve access to quality,linguiatically and culturally competent care in the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Second attack
From Nancy Pelosi Democratic Leader
Democrats Propose a new direction for a stronger America and a more secure world.

Washington DC -House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi joined other House Democratic leaders at a press stakeout this morning after the Democratic Caucus meeting to discuss Democrats' New Direction that will strengthen national security and protect the American people. Below are Nancy's remarks:

"As we approach the two-year anniversary this weekend of the release of the 9/11 Commission recommendation,Democrats renew our pledge that those recommendations will become law the first day that the House is won by the Democrats."

"A strong Amercia begins at home,A strong America is necessary in the World and thats is way our Causus metting today was dedicated to security. It is clear from what we heard from our colleagues that the cost of the war in Iraq,in terms of lives,the health of our troops,our reputation around the world,and dollars,is hurting our ability to be force for good for diplomatic negotiations throughout the world."

"So much is happening. North Korea is testing missiles,Iranians are going Nuclear,the Somalians are becoming militant,Iraq is not succeeding,the Middle East is exploding,and this Administration has not been able to be a force for progress that is needed."

"Democrats are proposing a New Direction,where we have rebust diplomacy,which is dependent on a military second to none,where we build dipomatic alliances that help us fight terrorism,stop the proliferation of weapons of mass destrution,keep the peace in the world,stop global warming,alleviate poverty to end the fury of despair that breeds terrorism in the world,and protect the American people at home and where our interests are threatened throughout the world,in way that is fiscally sound and respects the contributions of our veterans."

We take our responsibility to provide for common defence seriously,and in order to do that,we must have an improved reputation in the world.We were blessed by the presentations of Mr. Murta,Mr. Skelton,Mr Edwards, and Mr Bennie Thompson and an excellant presentation by Dr. Zbigniew Brzezinski,who gave us some insights as to the importance of our roll in the world in the Middle East"

"Democrats propose a New Direction for a stronger America and a more secure world.We must make America safer,the military stronger,and the world more stable. I do not think we're on that course right now;the American people do not think we're on that course right now"


I wanted to share these two attacks being started today by Democrats. We have to do more and will! Its time we take our Country back. I was ask to serve once I am standing up a second time to protect our freedom and way of life. We stand as one no Replug can defeat us. Lets Go DU and take it back for us and our future.