You are probably hearing many things about the problems at VA medical centers. We
are not surprised! This is becoming a
huge issue, with reports of secret waiting lists, improper or lack of care,
unsafe facilities, and more growing by the hour. We will try to keep you
updated on the most important information. Here is what is known at this time.
On April 24, CNN reported that Dr. Samuel Foote, a physician
who had just retired from the Phoenix VA hospital, told them of a secret or
“unofficial” list of veterans waiting for appointments. This list was used to
make it appear that the facility was complying with VA regulations that access
to medical care be provided in a timely manner, namely 14-30 days. Veterans were
placed on the “unofficial” list, sometimes for more than 3 months, and then
moved over to the official one when they were within 2 weeks of receiving
care.
As many as 40 deaths are being attributed to long waits for
appointments and treatments. This is quite alarming considering that, as we
discussed a few weeks ago, the VA recently reported that 23 disabled American veterans died of cancer because of delays in receiving treatment.
Shortly after CNN’s report, similar claims began to surface
from other VA facilities around the nation.
Federal investigators are currently looking into claims at the VA
Hospital in Phoenix, the Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital in Chicago, the VA
Medical Center at Fort Collins, and problems are being reported in at least 10
other states, including New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Florida, Missouri
and Texas.
On May 1, Phoenix VA hospital Director Sharon Helman
publicly denied the existence of such claims.
Later that day, she and 2 other officials were placed on administrative
leave by the VA. Since then, many of the administrators at other affected VA
centers have also been suspended.
Also on May 1, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki
was warned by Jeff Miller, the Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs
Committee, that a subpoena would be issued if the VA failed to explain why they
took eight days to act on the request to preserve all documents related to the
appointment setting process. The Secretary did respond on May 7, 2014 but he
failed to address this issue.
On May 8, 2014, the House Veterans Affairs Committee voted
to subpoena any and all documents relating to the disappearance or destruction
of an “unofficial list” of veterans waiting to receive medical care. The
mounting pressure on Secretary Shinseki prompted him to create on-site reviews
of VA health centers across the nation. He asked Congress to wait until the
agency’s inspections were completed before taking any additional action. The
VA’s review, however, could take 3-4 months.
Meanwhile, calls for the Secretary’s resignation are
increasing, with several congressmen and many veterans’ organizations demanding
it. Shinseki states, though, that he has no intention of resigning. On Friday,
May 16, he did ask, however, for the resignation of Robert Petzel, the
department’s undersecretary for health care, and Petzel stepped down that day.
Jeff Miller mocked the announcement, as did many veterans’ organizations, since
Petzel was scheduled to retire this year anyway.
Senate Minority Whip John Cornyn stated that Shinseki’s
“reticence to hold fellow bureaucrats at the VA accountable is exactly why we
need new leadership that is willing to take swift action to ensure we are
living up to our promises to our nation’s heroes.”
These reports are disturbing, to say the least. We’ll keep
you updated as the investigation continues.
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