David Shulkin in Trump Cabinet members actions and issues
On Homeland Security:
Largest modernization effort at VA in decades
Under President Trump's leadership, VA is engaged in the largest transformation and modernization effort in decades. As part of this effort, the department is tackling head-on issues that have lingered for years, including accountability,
whistleblower protection, improving transparency and customer service for Veterans and expanding suicide prevention and mental health care services.As outlined in tonight's address, VA will have another groundbreaking year in expanding and improving
our services for Veterans, particularly when it comes giving them more choices over their health care decisions, & improving yet again on the timeliness of our decisions on Veterans' benefits.
The whole country was moved when President Trump recognized
young Preston Sharp for his dedication & leadership in planting over 40,000 flags at our nation's cemeteries to recognize America's heroes. He has inspired hundreds of volunteers across the country who are looking to expand his effort to all 50 states.
Source: Trump Cabinet statements on 2018 State of the Union
Jan 30, 2018
On Drugs:
VA research of marijuana restricted by federal law
Shulkin wrote the VA was restricted from marijuana research because of federal law. Later, he acknowledged the law allows the VA to study marijuana, but it makes research difficult. Marijuana is on the list of Schedule I drugs, which are designated as
having no medical use and have the most regulatory hurdles to overcome in order to access and research them. "We have to go through multiple agencies, and it is very challenging to work our way through that process."
Source: Stars and Stripes on 2018 Trump Cabinet
Jan 19, 2018
On Homeland Security:
A voluntary military might not work without good VA care
"If we have a system that, when people are deciding if they want to serve their country, that they don't believe that when they get home, they have a system that's going to take care of them that they can rely upon, the approach towards having a
voluntary Army and people who want to come and protect the country is at risk, and I think we have seen some recent reports that it's tougher to meet recruitment standards."
Source: Washington Examiner on 2017 Trump Cabinet
Nov 17, 2017
On Health Care:
The VA is just as good or better than private health care
David Shulkin, Trump's nominee to lead the VA, in the past has stressed an urgent need to hire more caregivers. "We have 45,000 job openings. That's too many," Shulkin said. "I need to fill every one of those openings in order to make
sure that we're doing the very best for our veterans." Shulkin said the VA performs as well or better than private health care systems, but he said that long before he was asked to join the Trump administration.
Source: NPR Morning Edition on 2017 Trump Cabinet
Jan 25, 2017
Page last updated: Dec 03, 2021