A preliminary report from the inspector general of the Veterans Affairs agency has found ‘serious’ problems at the facility in Phoenix, according to CNN. Patients are at risk of being ‘forgotten or lost’ due to convoluted issues with scheduling.
The report found multiple unofficial waiting lists of veterans seeking medical care and some 1,700 veterans not on lists, but waiting for care.
The report also discovered “numerous allegations of daily mismanagement, inappropriate hiring decisions, sexual harassment, and bullying behavior by mid- and senior-level managers.”
It was submitted to Congress and senior agency officials, stating that “inappropriate scheduling practices are systematic” throughout the agency’s health services group.
All told, 26 medical centers are being investigated.
Senator John McCain, Republican from Arizona, said that VA Secretary Eric Shinseki should resign from his post. Shinseki, a member of the cabinet, said he does not intend on resigning anytime soon.
“I haven’t said this before, but I think it’s time for Gen. Shinseki to move on,” McCain said.
McCain is not the only member of Congress calling for Shinseki to resign, but when it comes from McCain it causes a larger stir. The reasons for this are McCain’s time spent as a military veteran, including a prisoner of war in Vietnam. The agency has acknowledged that there have been 23 deaths across the country because of delayed care.