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Akaka Calls for Resignation of VA Mental Health Officer Katz Over Alleged Coverup of Veterans' Suicides
April 22, 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, called for the resignation of Dr. Ira Katz, Mental Health Officer for the Department of Veterans Affairs, following reports that Dr. Katz was involved in efforts to cover up the number of veterans attempting suicide. Akaka sent his request by letter to Dr. Michael Kussman, VA's Under Secretary for Health. "Dr. Katz's personal conduct and professional judgment have been called into question. I believe veterans, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, would be best served by his immediate resignation," said Akaka. Dr. Katz is VA's Deputy Chief Patient Care Services Officer for Mental Health. Chairman Akaka's letter is enclosed below: Dear Dr. Kussman: I am writing to request the resignation of Dr. Ira Katz, Deputy Chief Patient Care Services Officer for Mental Health.Dr. Katz's personal conduct and professional judgment have been called into question by his response to the mental health needs of veterans, and in particular to veteran suicides. I believe veterans, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, would be best served by his immediate resignation. America's veterans deserve mental health care of the highest quality. Many veterans returning from combat have complex mental health needs, and VA must be fully able to meet those needs. VA cannot be complacent in its efforts to prevent veteran suicide. I look forward to working with you to provide veterans with the best services possible.Sincerely,Daniel K. Akaka Chairman-END-
Year: [2008] , 2007 , 2006 , 2005 , 2004 , 2003 , 2002 , 2001 , 2000 , 1999 , 1900
April 2008
- Senators Call for Action to Improve Veterans' Mental Health Care [April 30, 2008]
- Members of Congress, Hundreds of Iraq & Afghanistan War Veterans Call for Swift Passage of Webb GI Bill [April 29, 2008]
- Akaka Introduces Bill to Continue Oversight for Troops Returning From Combat Into Next Administration [April 29, 2008]
- Senate Restores VA Benefits to Filipino World War II Veterans [April 28, 2008]
- Senate Passes Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007 [April 24, 2008]
- Akaka Pushes VA, Defense Secretaries on Transition of Servicemembers and Accurate Data to Prevent Suicides [April 23, 2008]
- VETERANS BENEFITS ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2007 [April 23, 2008]
- Akaka Calls for Resignation of VA Mental Health Officer Katz Over Alleged Coverup of Veterans' Suicides [April 22, 2008]
- Following Months of Obstruction, Senate Votes 94-0 to Debate the Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007 [April 22, 2008]
- Chairman Urges Consideration of Comprehensive Veterans' Bill [April 21, 2008]
- Reid: Democrats Fighting to Give Veterans the Long-Overdue Benefits They Deserve [April 21, 2008]
- Senate Democrats Fight to Ensure Filipino World War II Veterans Receive Long Overdue VA Benefits [April 21, 2008]
- Hawaii Senators Push for Federal Funding for Re-training, Job Placement of Laid-off Aloha Airlines Workers [April 16, 2008]
- Inouye, Akaka Hail Army Decision to Permanently Base Stryker Unit in Hawaii [April 15, 2008]
- Akaka Introduces Veterans' Rehabilitation Legislation [April 15, 2008]
- Akaka Questions Gates, Mullen on Iraq, Afghanistan [April 11, 2008]
- Akaka's Plain Language and Public Service Recognition Bills Advance to the Full Senate [April 10, 2008]
- Following Revisions, Akaka to Cosponsor Webb GI Bill [April 10, 2008]
- Veterans' Housing Package Passes Senate [April 10, 2008]
- Akaka Chairs Hearing on Strengthening VA's Hiring Health Care Providers [April 9, 2008]
- Akaka Questions Gen. Petraeus on Iraq [April 8, 2008]
- Akaka Introduces Veterans Compensation Equity Act [April 7, 2008]
- Akaka to Question Petraeus & Crocker on Iraq [April 7, 2008]
- Akaka Introduces Bill Requiring VA-Community Partnerships to Reach Rural, Minority and Underserved Veterans [April 7, 2008]
- Veterans and Military Organizations Call for Stronger VA Budget [April 4, 2008]
- Purple Heart Veterans Give Akaka Leadership Award [April 3, 2008]
- Sens. Voinovich, Akaka Work to Depoliticize the DHS Chief Human Capital Officer [April 3, 2008]
- Akaka Submits Veterans' Medical Facility Construction Bill [April 2, 2008]
- April is Financial Literacy Month [April 2, 2008]
- Chairmen Introduce Legislation to Honor Public Servants [April 2, 2008]
- Akaka & Sanders meet with Veterans Affairs Secretary Peake [April 1, 2008]
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