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At any hospital, patient safety and quality of care depend on the willingness of medical workers to identify problems. The goal is for medical workers to be free to speak bluntly to — and about — higher-ups without being ignored or, worse, punished. In interviews and email exchanges, many doctors, nurses and other medical workers said military hospitals fall short of that objective. (LaFraniere, 12/20)

Los Angeles is hosting what is being billed as the largest "Stand Down" for homeless and hard-luck military veterans to ever take place in the country. The three-day relief effort got underway Saturday at the Los Angeles Convention Center and brings together dozens of government agencies, nonprofits and volunteers to provide veterans with a variety of health and social services. (Lozano, 12/20)