Sens. Moran Seeks Answers from Acting VA Secretary Gibson on Midwest VA Wait Lists

Press Release

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, and U.S. Senator Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, today sent a letter to Acting Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Sloan Gibson seeking answers regarding the VA's knowledge of new, unauthorized wait lists in the Midwest revealed last week by Veterans Integrated Service Network 15 (VISN 15) and the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center in Wichita, Kan.

Sen. Moran received a letter from VISN 15 on May 29, 2014, confirming the existence of 10 unauthorized wait lists in the VA Heartland Network, including two lists that put veterans "at risk" and resulted in 108 veterans waiting more than 90 days for health services. A letter to Sen. Moran on May 30, 2014, from Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center Director Francisco Vazquez confirming the existence of an unauthorized wait list that put veterans at risk -- but stated that "96 veterans waited more than 90 days" for care. Later statements by Wichita VA Director Vazquez indicated an even higher number of impacted veterans, adding to the disparate information.

"Following receipt of these letters, Senator Moran's staff contacted the IG, and was told that the VA Office of the Inspector General (IG) had not received any disclosure from VISN 15 related to the 10 unauthorized lists at that time, and more specifically the two lists that put veterans at risk," the Senators wrote to Acting-Secretary Gibson. "We are writing to you today to fully understand the circumstances regarding the unauthorized wait lists disclosed by the Directors of both VISN 15 and the Wichita VA Medical Center."

Sens. Moran and Burr ask for answers on 11 specific questions, including: why is it necessary for VISNs to conduct their own internal audit while a national audit is being conducted; were the results of the VISN review part of the national audit; did the VA have knowledge of the internal VISN 15 review; when was the VA made aware of these unauthorized lists and what materials were provided by VISN 15 to the VA Office of the Inspector General; what are the results of the national audit for these same facilities within VISN 15; what actions did the VA take when made aware of the VISN 15 review; and what is the process and procedures the VA uses to account for all unauthorized actives within the VA system to make certain there is precise record-keeping for every incident?

"…We hope to build a relationship with you based on trust and a mutual interest in giving veterans the care they deserve and a department worthy of their service," Sens. Moran and Burr wrote. "Veterans must have their hope restored in the agency that was created to serve them. We look forward to working with you as you seek answers, hold individuals accountable and strive to break down the bureaucracy that has taken a hold of this agency for far too long."

Source