The latest “VA is Lying” billboard just went up near the troubled Department of Veterans Affairs facility in Tomah, Wisc.
The billboard doesn’t get any more complicated than displaying the name of the organization itself and its tagline: “VA is Lying, Veterans Are Dying.”
According to a press release from the group, the goal is to remind the public that veterans are the most noble and deserving citizens in America because of their sacrifice for the country. This means that at minimum, veterans deserve respect and reasonable health care. But as far as the group is concerned, the VA doesn’t come close to measuring up to the standard.
“We contend, that VA is wildly corrupt and is currently operated for the profit and luxury of VA employees, VA contractors and certain corrupt politicians,” the group’s press release stated. “We hold, that every member of Congress knows this. Many BILLIONS of tax dollars are devoured by VA each year, while VA consistently tells veterans there is no money for veteran health care.”
Candace Baer-Delis, daughter of Thomas Baer, was present for the billboard’s unveiling in Tomah.
Thomas Baer died earlier this year while waiting for hours at Tomah’s urgent care clinic without help. He then suffered from a stroke, but staff told Candace that his vital signs were completely normal. Although Candace wanted to confirm that her father suffered a stroke, hospital staff informed her that the CT scan machine was broken. They also refused to give Thomas drugs to prevent future strokes.
A doctor soon confirmed her worst fears, but by then it was too late. Baer suffered another stroke and died while waiting to be sent over to another hospital. Candace Baer-Delis is convinced that the VA is responsible.
“If we had been able to take him to our local hospital, if my dad would have had a choice, he would have had a chance,” Candace Baer-Delis told The Daily Caller News Foundation.
The facility at Tomah has a poor reputation, as highlighted by the death of Marine Corps veteran Jason Simcakoski in 2014. A recent inspector general report on the incident determined that Simcakoski’s death was preventable. (RELATED: Report Blames VA For Avoidable Death Of Marine, Cites Abysmal Failures)
The group hopes that billboards displayed prominently near VA medical centers will put pressure on officials and Congress to clean up the corruption and raise awareness. While many in the group support shutting down VA health care entirely, the main objective is to crack down on corruption and waste of taxpayer dollars.
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