The Justice Department is expected to begin investigating the Department of Veterans Affairs in light of its current scandal. The VA is facing charges of record tampering and potential destruction of documents, not to mention medical neglect of veterans. The VA’s Inspector General is investigating 26 sites to assess whether employees covered up long wait-times for medical appointments, and the Justice Department is already getting involved.
The VA Scandal: What Happened?
President Obama has increased the Department of Veterans Affairs’ budget each year he’s been in office, with the goal of providing well-deserved health care to veterans. However, records show the agency has spent $489 million solely on upgrading conference rooms, new drapes, and new office furniture in VA offices across the country during Fiscal Years 2010 through 2014, instead of hiring more doctors. People within the VA reportedly created fake waiting lists to hide real, months-long waits — waits during which veterans have died. Currently, 26 VA facilities are being investigated nationwide.
Are Veterans Being Left to Die?
Upon retiring, Dr. Sam Foote of the Phoenix VA publicly claimed that patients died at his facility while awaiting care. The chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs later admitted that two sets of records were kept: one that was hidden (with the actual, lengthy wait-times), and another record showing falsified two-week waits. Investigators believe as many as 40 veterans may have died while waiting for appointments in Phoenix alone.
The Fallout
Lawmakers have been calling for the resignation of Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki, while Congressional chairmen of the House and Senate veterans affairs committees are sticking by Shinseki — at least until they know how much he knew about the cover-ups. Those claiming the problems are bigger than Shinseki blame the fact that the VA has goals other than helping veterans, as well as a lack of accountability. Without a profit motivation to see more patients —VA doctors are paid the same amount regardless of how many patients they see — veterans in need of health care have continued to wait.
What’s Next?
Rep. Jeff Miller, a Republican from Florida and chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, claims to have information “that will make what has already come out look like kindergarten stuff.” The VA reportedly has 118 accounts of oversight that Shinseki and others have yet to answer. Miller has had subpoenas issued for people involved to appear before his committee this week.
6 comments
Lawrence L Phillips
Last march my wife took me to Tucson va for my annual copd check up and med scripts. While there I explained to the doctor id like a exray of right shoulder as I hurt it the week before and its hard to set a time to be examined, so a week later I have xray taken. Two weeks later I have to see my assigned care giver for my yearly apt, she said she saw the xray and nothing seemed to be wrong then I was assigned to a new doctor, he examined me sent me in for eight more xrays still told nothing wrong. All this time iam in 24,7 intense pain. then another new doctor dr,lees he has me take a mri next week he has me see him says my rotator cuff is badley torn and a rip in the tendon in right shoulder, so I have a appointment to see surgeon feb 29 and surgery most likely after that. I truly believe these people are responsible for me being in pain for almost a year and I ned to know how to find a attorney to settle this please help me L Phillips
Matthew Cooke
Hi Lawrence, I'm so sorry to hear about your situation. I would recommend locating an attorney using Avvo's Legal Directory. You can search by practice area as well as location to find one close to you. Avvo profiles contain an attorney’s experience as well as client and peer reviews. Many offer free consultations, so be sure to ask if you decide to contact them on your own or through Avvo. Here’s the link to get started on your search: http://www.avvo.com/find-a-lawyer I hope this is helpful.
Janet Lane Beals
I husband passed away a week ago Friday. That was on the 6th of June , it was the worse day of my life. He was only 54 years old. Now I am all alone. He died at home. When the officer called Dr. Richard Schofield to sign the death cert. it took them 2 hrs. to call back. Dr. Schofield had been taking care of my husband for 9 years for a service related injury. He denied to sign the death cert. As my husband had already been laying in our floor in our home. My husband had just got out of the local hosp. and thank God the ER Dr. signed the death cert. or the M.E. would have taking him and cut him up. Later that day Dr. Schofield tried calling me twice but I never talked to him. How could a Dr. be so heartless?
Danielle Post
I'm so sorry to hear about your loss and this very difficult situation. If you wish to seek legal information or guidance, you can find answers to many legal questions or post your own questions in Avvo's Legal Q&A Forum (http://www.avvo.com/free-legal-advice). You may also search for an attorney using Avvo's Legal Directory (http://www.avvo.com/find-a-lawyer). You can search by practice area as well as location to find an attorney close to you. Avvo profiles contain an attorney’s experience as well as client and peer reviews. Many offer free consultations, so be sure to ask if you decide to contact them on your own or through Avvo. Again, my deepest condolences for your loss. I hope this information is helpful to you. Very best, Danielle
Billie
I have a solid case against the VA for the death of my husband. My problem is I NEED an attorney willing to take on the Government pro-Bono. I have all the records and files. I just don't have the finances the government has for the legal help. Anybody know where I can find a hungry, aggressive attorney ???????????? I live in Florida currently.
Danielle Post
I'm so sorry to hear about your case. I would recommend locating an attorney using Avvo's Legal Directory. You can search by practice area as well as location to find one close to you. Avvo profiles contain an attorney’s experience as well as client and peer reviews. Many offer free consultations, so be sure to ask if you decide to contact them on your own or through Avvo. Here’s the link to get started on your search: http://www.avvo.com/find-a-lawyer I hope this is helpful.