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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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VA Mistakenly Tells Hundreds of Vets They Have ALS

'Coding error' to blame for ALS mistake

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(Newser) – Because of an error, the Department of Veterans Affairs incorrectly notified 1,200 veterans they had ALS, the fatal neurological condition also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, the AP reports. The letters alerted the veterans to disability benefits available to those who suffer from the disease. Thought the VA has not yet commented on the slip-up, the VP of the National Gulf War Resource Center said a “coding error” was to blame.

circa 1935: American baseball player Lou Gehrig (1903 - 1941), swinging his baseball bat at a game.
circa 1935: American baseball player Lou Gehrig (1903 - 1941), swinging his baseball bat at a game.   (Getty Images)
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12 comments
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Scrambles
Aug 24, 09 4:14 PM CDT
Turns out you dont really have a life changing condition...oops, our bad Reply
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Timinator2K
Aug 24, 09 4:40 PM CDT
Gee, just think how GREAT all those Vets are going to feel when they find out they're not dying of ALS...Thanks, Big Government! Reply
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doingtherightthing
Aug 24, 09 8:29 PM CDT
this is how it works with government healthcare: Alert, alert seniors recent flu shot received has HIV virus. Immediately contact your end of life consular and see if you qualify for antidote. All seniors over 80 need not apply........any questions contact the death panel for further instructions, oh yes, have a good day.............. Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
aces08
Aug 24, 09 9:29 PM CDT
i can't decide if that was sarcasm or not...
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doingtherightthing
Aug 24, 09 9:58 PM CDT
sarcasm...........look around medicare, medicaid, SS and PO all dying under government care..........Obamacare for seniors, means a death warrant for them. The constitution protects us from a government like this. The constitution is under siege by this administration. The American people are losing there rights under Obamacare and this congress......watch out..... Reply
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