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Quil Lawrence David Aquila ("Quil") Lawrence is an award-winning correspondent with NPR News.
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Politics

VA Urged To Take Advantage Of Momentum And Keep Reforming Itself

The combination of a GOP controlled government and a secretary held over from the Obama administration may have created an opportunity for progress at the troubled Department of Veterans Affairs.

VA Urged To Take Advantage Of Momentum And Keep Reforming Itself

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National Security

State Department Halts Special Visa Program For Afghans

The State Department is running out of visas to offer Afghans who worked with American troops, and the prospects appear dim for offering more. The end of the visa program for Afghans is taking place at the same time the U.S. is tightening other restrictions on travel, especially from mostly-Muslim countries.

State Department Halts Special Visa Program For Afghans

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Senate Confirms First Nonveteran To Lead VA

Veterans Affairs Secretary-designate Dr. David Shulkin, then the undersecretary for health at the VA, testifies on Capitol Hill Feb. 1. Shulkin was confirmed on Monday. Alex Brandon/AP hide caption

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Alex Brandon/AP

The Two-Way

Senate Confirms First Nonveteran To Lead VA

Senators unanimously voted to confirm VA Health Undersecretary Dr. David Shulkin as full secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs. He's a rare Trump holdover from the Obama administration.

Politics

VA Secretary Nominee David Shulkin Faces Senate For Confirmation Hearing

Veterans Affairs secretary nominee David Shulkin faces his Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday. The session follows reports by NPR that document shortcomings in the longstanding attempts to improve the way the VA provides care, and promises by President Trump to further privatize its health services.

VA Secretary Nominee David Shulkin Faces Senate For Confirmation Hearing

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Health

VA: Competition With Private Sector Is An Obstacle To Hiring More Medical Staff

An NPR investigation examines reasons why it's hard to bring new medical personnel into the VA, including a cumbersome hiring process.

VA: Competition With Private Sector Is An Obstacle To Hiring More Medical Staff

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VA Hospitals Still Struggling With Adding Staff Despite Billions From Choice Act

Widowed while pregnant with their second son, Gloria Grijalva shares pictures of her husband, U.S. Army veteran Charlie Grijalva, who committed suicide in December 2014. KPBS hide caption

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KPBS

Back At Base: Stories On Veterans Choice

VA Hospitals Still Struggling With Adding Staff Despite Billions From Choice Act

Money from the Veterans Choice Act, which was meant to improve medical staffing levels at VA health centers, has had little impact on hiring numbers and how quickly vets get access to medical care.

VA Hospitals Still Struggling With Adding Staff Despite Billions From Choice Act

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Hiring Freeze And Obamacare Repeal Could Clobber Veterans Affairs

David Shulkin (center), the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs undersecretary of health, talks with attendees in July prior to testifying at a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing in Gilbert, Ariz. Donald Trump has selected Shulkin to lead the agency. Ross D. Franklin/AP hide caption

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Ross D. Franklin/AP

Politics

Hiring Freeze And Obamacare Repeal Could Clobber Veterans Affairs

If the Affordable Care Act is repealed, some of those left uninsured will be veterans. They may turn to the VA, further burdening a troubled health care system.

Hiring Freeze And Obamacare Repeal Could Clobber Veterans Affairs

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Politics

Does Pick Of Shulkin As VA Head Indicate Trump's Views Are Evolving?

Advocates were surprised that Trump chose top VA official David Shulkin as his pick to run the full department. What concerns them is Trump's support for increasing the privatization of VA services.

Does Pick Of Shulkin As VA Head Indicate Trump's Views Are Evolving?

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Politics

Trump Nominates VA Undersecretary For Health To Head Department

President-elect Donald Trump says he has nominated Veterans Affairs Undersecretary for Health David Shulkin to become secretary of the department in his administration.

Trump Nominates VA Undersecretary For Health To Head Department

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National

Veterans Fight Misconception: Wartime Service Is Linked To Violent Crime

Veterans say the public jumps to inaccurate conclusions about combat veterans when vets are involved in mass shootings. Statistics show veterans are less likely to be involved in crime than civilians.

Veterans Fight Misconception: Wartime Service Is Linked To Violent Crime

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Military-Trained Police May Be Less Hasty To Shoot, But That Got This Vet Fired
Chelsea Beck/NPR

National

Military-Trained Police May Be Less Hasty To Shoot, But That Got This Vet Fired

A Marine-turned-cop was fired after he did not shoot a man who had a gun. His Marine training led him to believe there wasn't clear hostile intent; his bosses say he risked other officers' lives.

Military-Trained Police May Be Less Hasty To Shoot, But That Got This Vet Fired

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Politics

Trump Transition Team Holds 'Listening Session' With Veterans Groups

President-elect Trump's transition officials have scheduled a "listening session" for Thursday with veterans advocates, including the American Legion and other groups. It's playing out following big promises by Trump to overhaul the workings of veterans care in the U.S. and continuing discussion about his potential appointment to run the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Trump Transition Team Holds 'Listening Session' With Veterans Groups

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Music Interviews

Becky Warren's 'War Surplus' Follows A Couple's Life After Deployment

Nashville singer-songwriter Becky Warren penned an album inspired by her former marriage to an Iraq veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Becky Warren's 'War Surplus' Follows A Couple's Life After Deployment

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Politics

Veterans' Issues Nearly Ignored In Previous Presidential Debates

Veterans are frustrated their issues have been absent from the presidential debates so far. The war in Afghanistan has also gone almost without mention.

Veterans' Issues Nearly Ignored In Previous Presidential Debates

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A Reboot For Wheelchair That Can Stand Up And Climb Stairs

Gary Linfoot was paralyzed in a helicopter crash in Iraq. He's one of the few veterans still using an iBOT, which allows him to rise up to eye level using Segway-style balancing technology. The wheelchair was discontinued in 2009, but may soon be reissued. Quil Lawrence/NPR hide caption

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Shots - Health News

A Reboot For Wheelchair That Can Stand Up And Climb Stairs

Toyota announced this year that it's backing the return of the iBOT, which went out of production in 2009. Inventor Dean Kamen says a reboot would include improvements using the latest technology.

A Reboot For Wheelchair That Can Stand Up And Climb Stairs

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