A former VA therapist says productivity pressure on counselors who treat veterans for mental health issues like PTSD is hurting the quality of care.
Blickwedel told Fisher the new higher minimums had made him decide to retire early.
"Whoever is coming up with these production standards is seriously out of touch with what is happening in the field and how it is adversely impacting those of us who are doing the day-to-day therapeutic work," he wrote. NBC News spoke to current and former VA employees about Blickwedel's concerns — most, but not all, through referrals from Blickwedel. Almost all agreed with Blickwedel, and said problems are continuing.
"In the beginning," said Fisher,"the first question was: Where did this come from? Why are we doing this? What do the numbers mean? And I think after we explained that … I felt like there was a sense of, okay, I understand that. This makes sense. When we moved into this year's training over the summer, these questions weren't coming up."
"A lot of it had to do with making sure that, as an organization, we were being consistent across the country, and really making sure that [we're] providing the right services within a community, the right balance," Fisher said."And also looking at how we can ensure that we're increasing access to care or looking at those opportunities to bring more veterans and service members in to receive services.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Getting Fit Meant Sink or Swim for an Ex-NFL StarAfter retiring from the Cleveland Browns, Joe Thomas exchanged extra weight and punishing workouts for the yoga studio and the pool.
Read more »
Celebrity X Factor's Megan McKenna dumps ex-con boyfriend to clean up her imageThe former TOWIE and Ex on the Beach star Megan is going for a squeaky clean transformation
Read more »
Jamie Lomas supports ex-wife Kym Marsh at star-studded Corrie leaving partyThe Hollyoaks actor attended the bash with their eight-year-old daughter Polly
Read more »
Lewis Capaldi’s ex-girlfriend who inspired hit album unveiled as BGT hopefulThe Scottish hitmaker's former girlfriend - who inspired his number one single Someone You Loved - has been revealed
Read more »
Ex-Border Patrol chief on breaches to Trump's wall by smugglers: 'That's life on the border'The Washington Post reported that smugglers have been able to saw through President Donald Trump's border wall repeatedly.
Read more »
Ex-felons vote in Florida after overcoming prison — and the GOPA legal battle over whether the state can block people with outstanding fines and fees from voting has yet to be fully resolved.
Read more »