Letter to the Hon. Phil Roe, Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs and the Hon. Tim Walz, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs - Curbelo, South Florida Delegation Urge VA Committee to Launch Immediate Investigation into Inaccurate Testing at Miami VA

Letter

Dear Chairman Roe and Ranking Member Walz:

We are appalled by recent reports about serious negligence at the Bruce W. Carter Miami VA Medical Center (Miami VAMC). According to a recent report by the Miami Herald, at least 8 veterans undergoing HIV testing at the Miami VAMC facility received false results. The report also alleges that the Miami VAMC failed to comply with procedures for HIV testing implemented back in May of 2015.

The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) has already stated that the Miami VA Medical Center was slow to use the latest generation of HIV testing equipment and also concluded that the administrators ignored a whistle blower's complaints. According to media reports, despite this report from the OSC, the Miami VAMC refuses to substantiate the allegations made against them or acknowledge any wrongdoing whatsoever.

We share the Committee's commitment to our veterans by recognizing their service and ensuring they have access to the finest health care available. Therefore, we respectfully request the Committee demand the Government Accountability Office launch an immediate investigation to determine how this happened, who was responsible, to what extent this is a problem throughout the VA medical system, and what we need to do to get the Miami VAMC up to the high standard our veterans deserve.

There are nearly 150,000 American heroes living in Monroe, Miami-Dade and Broward Counties and every single one of them deserve the very best healthcare services. A thorough investigation of these serious violations may ensure similar incidents do not occur again and restore faith in our ability to treat those who have borne the nation's battles. We must ensure that the government fulfills its commitments to our veterans and protects their interests as they dutifully protected ours.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.