Fighting for Veterans: Ted Blickwedel’s Battle for Better Care | S.O.S. #164

S.O.S. (Stories of Service) - Ordinary people who do extraordinary work

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This week, I sit down with Ted Blickwedel, a retired Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel, combat veteran, and Licensed Clinical Social Worker, who risked everything to expose critical issues within the Veterans Affairs (VA) system.
Ted’s journey began at the VA VET Center in Warwick, RI, where he provided mental health care to fellow veterans from 2009 to 2018.
In 2017, he witnessed how harmful clinical productivity policies were jeopardizing the well-being of counselors and the quality of care for veterans. When his concerns were repeatedly dismissed by supervisors, Ted decided to speak out, initiating a whistleblowing campaign that came at a tremendous personal cost.
His efforts led to a federal investigation by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), which substantiated his claims and ultimately sparked legislative reforms signed into law.
In this episode, we dive deep into:
• Why Ted chose to expose these issues despite the risks.
• The legal, financial, and health challenges he faced as a whistleblower.
• The impact of his advocacy on veterans, counselors, and VA leadership nationwide.
• His book, Broken Promises, which chronicles the injustices and retaliation he endured while fighting for change.
Ted’s story, featured on NBC, NPR, and the Military Times, is a powerful testament to courage, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of justice.
Tune in to hear how one man’s unwavering commitment to veterans reshaped a broken system.
http://www.vabreakingpromises.com/

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