[{"innerBlocks":[],"name":"core\/freeform","postId":2214,"blockType":{"name":"core\/freeform","keywords":[],"attributes":{"content":{"type":"string","source":"raw"},"lock":{"type":"object"}},"providesContext":[],"usesContext":[],"selectors":[],"supports":{"className":false,"customClassName":false,"reusable":false},"styles":[],"variations":[],"apiVersion":3,"title":"Classic","description":"Use the classic WordPress editor.","category":"text"},"originalContent":"A Senate hearing to consider the nomination of Rear Admiral Ronny Jackson, MD, to serve as secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, has been postponed because of undisclosed allegations about the nominee.

The hearing was scheduled for Wednesday. However, U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Veterans\u2019 Affairs, made the announcement about the postponement on Tuesday.

\u201cThe Senate Committee on Veterans\u2019 Affairs is postponing the hearing to consider the nominee to be secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in light of new information presented to the committee,\u201d said Isakson and Tester in joint written statement.

The senators did not disclose the substance of the new information. However, The New York Times reported that Jackson \u201coversaw a hostile work environment as the White House physician and allowed the overprescribing of drugs.\u201d

\u201cWe take very seriously our constitutional duty to thoroughly and carefully vet each nominee sent to the Senate for confirmation,\u201d the senators added. \u201cWe will continue looking into these serious allegations and have requested additional information from the White House to enable the committee to conduct a full review.\u201d

Isakson and Tester sent a letter to President Trump on Tuesday requesting all documentation relating to Jackson\u2019s service in the White House Medical Unit and as physician to the president.

The news comes in the wake of losses of key VA leadership. David Shulkin, MD, was recently ousted by Trump as secretary of the agency, and acting chief information officer Scott Blackburn also recently resigned from his position.

Also See:<\/b> Resignation of VA\u2019s acting CIO casts doubt on EHR efforts<\/a>

Rear Admiral Jackson is an active duty Navy physician who was appointed as physician to the president by President Obama in 2013 and has served on the White House medical team since 2006. Trump\u2019s decision to nominate Jackson has been criticized by veterans groups.

AMVETS, the congressionally chartered veterans service organization, expressed its deep concerns regarding Trump\u2019s nomination of Jackson, which the group contends is the latest in an \u201cexcruciating series of recent events\u201d that continue to undermine the best interests of veterans.

\u201cNo matter whether these allegations against Dr. Jackson prove true or false, whether they continue to delay his confirmation indefinitely or sink it altogether, it\u2019s the latest in a chain of unforced errors for which veterans are continuing to pay the price,\u201d said AMVETS Executive Director Joe Chenelly in a written statement. \u201cIt was a mistake to fire David Shulkin to start, neutralizing the progress he was making at VA for those who depend on it with their lives. That mistake hurt veterans and continues to work against the Administration.

\u201cFurther depriving the VA of any continuity of leadership by inexplicably passing over a competent, experienced and proven deputy VA secretary was also a confusing and troubling move that defies veterans\u2019 best interests,\u201d added Chenelly. \u201cThere is also nothing but downside for veterans in prolonging the uncertain period between permanent secretaries. Veterans deserve and need a stable VA with leaders properly vetted and confirmed.\u201d
","saveContent":"A Senate hearing to consider the nomination of Rear Admiral Ronny Jackson, MD, to serve as secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, has been postponed because of undisclosed allegations about the nominee.

The hearing was scheduled for Wednesday. However, U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Veterans\u2019 Affairs, made the announcement about the postponement on Tuesday.

\u201cThe Senate Committee on Veterans\u2019 Affairs is postponing the hearing to consider the nominee to be secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in light of new information presented to the committee,\u201d said Isakson and Tester in joint written statement.

The senators did not disclose the substance of the new information. However, The New York Times reported that Jackson \u201coversaw a hostile work environment as the White House physician and allowed the overprescribing of drugs.\u201d

\u201cWe take very seriously our constitutional duty to thoroughly and carefully vet each nominee sent to the Senate for confirmation,\u201d the senators added. \u201cWe will continue looking into these serious allegations and have requested additional information from the White House to enable the committee to conduct a full review.\u201d

Isakson and Tester sent a letter to President Trump on Tuesday requesting all documentation relating to Jackson\u2019s service in the White House Medical Unit and as physician to the president.

The news comes in the wake of losses of key VA leadership. David Shulkin, MD, was recently ousted by Trump as secretary of the agency, and acting chief information officer Scott Blackburn also recently resigned from his position.

Also See:<\/b> Resignation of VA\u2019s acting CIO casts doubt on EHR efforts<\/a>

Rear Admiral Jackson is an active duty Navy physician who was appointed as physician to the president by President Obama in 2013 and has served on the White House medical team since 2006. Trump\u2019s decision to nominate Jackson has been criticized by veterans groups.

AMVETS, the congressionally chartered veterans service organization, expressed its deep concerns regarding Trump\u2019s nomination of Jackson, which the group contends is the latest in an \u201cexcruciating series of recent events\u201d that continue to undermine the best interests of veterans.

\u201cNo matter whether these allegations against Dr. Jackson prove true or false, whether they continue to delay his confirmation indefinitely or sink it altogether, it\u2019s the latest in a chain of unforced errors for which veterans are continuing to pay the price,\u201d said AMVETS Executive Director Joe Chenelly in a written statement. \u201cIt was a mistake to fire David Shulkin to start, neutralizing the progress he was making at VA for those who depend on it with their lives. That mistake hurt veterans and continues to work against the Administration.

\u201cFurther depriving the VA of any continuity of leadership by inexplicably passing over a competent, experienced and proven deputy VA secretary was also a confusing and troubling move that defies veterans\u2019 best interests,\u201d added Chenelly. \u201cThere is also nothing but downside for veterans in prolonging the uncertain period between permanent secretaries. Veterans deserve and need a stable VA with leaders properly vetted and confirmed.\u201d
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Panel delays hearing on Trump nominee to head VA

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