%0 Journal Article
%T Helman defends decision to pull VA sponsorship of Veterans day parade
%A Robbins RA
%J Southwest Journal of Pulmonary and Critical Care
%D 2013
%I Arizona Thoracic Society
%X No abstract available. Article truncated after 150 words. Sharon Helman, Phoenix VA Director, defended her decision to cancel VA sponsorship of the annual Phoenix Veterans Day Parade in a 4/10/13 email to VA employees. Helman said that VA sponsorship was cancelled because of ˇ°ˇ­priorities in the organization (specifically access), and heightened awareness over liability concerns which VA Legal Counsel brought forwardˇ±. She concluded her letter by warning ˇ°ˇ­ that all media inquiries should be forwarded to Paul Coupaud, Acting Public Affairs Officerˇ±. VA officials initially said fear of litigation prompted the review of VA support. Last year, a float carrying wounded Veterans in a Midland, Texas, parade collided with a freight train, killing four and injuring 17. Crash victims and their families filed lawsuits in Texas against Union Pacific Railroad and the float owner. The VA was not a defendant, and the VA has not issued any national directives on liability as a result of the tragedy.Inˇ­
%K Sharon Helman
%K Phoenix Veterans Parade
%K Phoenix VA
%K Carl T Hayden VA Medical Center
%K Paula Pedene
%K access to healthcare
%U http://www.swjpcc.com/news/2013/4/11/helman-defends-decision-to-pull-va-sponsorship-of-veterans-d.html