WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today severely criticized the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for the deeply concerning problems in service at VA facilities in Arizona and across the country that were detailed in an initial Inspector General’s report released Wednesday.

Following up on that report, Heitkamp specifically requested the VA provide details about when its officials knew about the problems in service to veterans and if action was taken to address them.  A recently released internal memo shows VA leadership knew about the scheduling irregularities at the VA in 2010.  Yet, four years later, the problems clearly still persist.  Heitkamp also called for the VA to provide details about steps the agency is taking fix the issues, make sure veterans get the care they deserve, and rebuild the VA health system.

As part of the VA’s ongoing review process, it is conducting investigations at every VA health care facility nationwide.  Heitkamp spoke with the director of Fargo’s VA Medical Center last week following the VA’s inspection of the hospital.  The initial findings from the VA found no irregularities with the Fargo VA’s scheduling practices.

“The Veterans Affairs Inspector General’s report is outright disturbing and we should all be offended by the way the VA health care system has treated many of our veterans,” said Heitkamp.  “First and foremost, I want to make sure we get to the heart of the problem by finding out what happened at the Arizona VA hospital – and at others around the country – put a plan in place to fix it so these issues don’t ever happen again, and hold those responsible accountable.  I’m also reaching out to the VA directly to find out how this specific problem wasn’t addressed when it first came to the attention of VA leadership back in 2010.  Such a lack of action and oversight for four years is deeply concerning and shows that we are failing our veterans.  That’s just unacceptable. 

“The many health care workers at our VA hospitals provide valuable services for our veterans, but because of the actions of a few, many veterans have waited far too long for benefits, health care, and other support.  Those who fought for our country deserve the best of the best and it’s past time we give them a system that offers them such care.  We need to see real action right now.”

Click here to read a full copy of the letter Heitkamp sent today to Secretary Shinseki.

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