Last week, CNN broadcasted the horrific story of a “secret” waiting list at the Phoenix Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Care Center, resulting in the deaths of at least 40 veterans.
The secret list was part of an elaborate scheme designed by Veterans Affairs managers in Phoenix who were trying to hide that 1,400 to 1,600 sick veterans were forced to wait months to see a doctor, according to several extremely reliable sources.
One of CNN’s key sources was a former doctor at the Phoenix VA Health Care Center, Dr. Sam Foote. He came forward after spending 24 years with the VA, revealing that the VA works off two lists: an “official” list that’s shared with officials in Washington and shows the VA has been providing timely appointments, which Foote calls a sham list. And then there’s the real list that’s hidden from outsiders, where wait times can last more than a year.
Dr. Foote told CNN that the “official” list was put in place so the VA could evade its own rules, which requires it to provide care to patients in a timely manner (generally within 14 to 30 days). Rather than doing its job and taking care of the veterans it was entrusted to care for, the Phoenix VA Health Care Center shredded documents, deliberately omitted to record appointment requests, and took other measures to avoid a paper trail that would evidence its deplorable treatment of veterans.
This practice is similar to what the VA is currently doing with its backlog initiative. The VA pats itself on the back by releasing statistics about the decrease in backlogged claims. What it doesn’t tell the public is that because of its focus on getting initial claims off the table, the claims in the appeals process are facing much lengthier wait times. Before the backlog, appeals at the Roanoke Regional Office were taking a year to resolve. Now it’s up to two.
After this story hit the wires last week, the VA quickly launched into defensive mode. Today it told the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee that a preliminary review of the Phoenix VA Health Care Center showed no evidence to support the recent allegations of corruption and unnecessary veteran deaths. However, the VA’s Office of Inspector General has launched an official investigation into the matter, after which a hearing will follow.
This is just more of the same, isn’t it? I’ll tell you the truth – I don’t like blogging about these topics. I would love for the timely topic of the week to be an amazing, positive development brought about by the VA. Unfortunately, I have no material.
Did you find this blog informative? If so, sign up for my weekly blog on veterans issues at: https://legalmeetspractical.com.
This blog seems to be the genesis of what should be discussed concerning our veterans. I work voluntarily with veterans daily as we prepare to construct a veterans village ranch for the purpose of mentoring, counseling, training, rehabilitating and recreating those veterans who are committed to helping themselves. We call it a Gand up versus a hand out.
This blog validates the many tragedies that our veterans articulate to us.
I am hopeful that this blog will stimulate your participants to walk the walk. Washington has demonstrated the art of talking the talk.
Thank you for starting it.