VA boss linked to previous scandal now accused of covering up vet deaths

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Fox News: Arizona VA boss accused in previous numbers fudging now center of investigation into the cover-up of more veterans' deathshttp://www.foxnews.com/politics/201...p-veterans-deaths-linked-to-previous-scandal/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/201...p-veterans-deaths-linked-to-previous-scandal/

A Veterans Affairs official accused of keeping double books to hide the fact that dozens of veterans died awaiting care previously ran a Washington state VA facility that allegedly fudged suicide numbers, FoxNews.com has learned.

Sharon Helman, director of the Phoenix Veterans Affairs Health Care system, is accused with other management officials of keeping a fake waiting list that made it appear sick veterans were being treated in a timely manner -- while hiding the real list that showed up to 1,600 sick veterans were waiting months to see a physician. Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Fla., chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, said investigators have evidence that two sets of records were kept by the facility to conceal the lengthy delays in care.

At least 40 veterans on the secret list allegedly died while waiting for appointments, prompting congressional committees to launch investigations into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

This is why my Tricare card is in my wallet, along with my wife's healthcare insurance card. Together, they give me access to privately-provided care that is far superior to the death-traps many VA hospitals and outpatient care programs have become. The VA is now administered by non-military personnel, with little or no respect for the service offered by their aging and ill patient population, nor even for the relatively healthy vets from recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The VA is worthless, with people like Helman outnumbering the sincere and concerned healthcare professionals in the VA that are so unfortunately few and far between these days.

 

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...The VA is worthless, with people like Helman outnumbering the sincere and concerned healthcare professionals in the VA that are so unfortunately few and far between these days.

I dont know about yours - but I would give my VA ( Syracuse,NY) a 90+ rating - I have recieved excellent care over the years.

 

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I dont know about yours - but I would give my VA ( Syracuse,NY) a 90+ rating - I have recieved excellent care over the years.

Kansas City's VA, from what I've seen through the eyes of vets I've treated for alcoholism, drug addiction and disordered gambling, is very good. I'm speaking primarily of the VA system overall as "worthless," because the bad hospitals, clinics and program far outweigh the good ones. But even in KC, it's "the luck of the draw" and having as my personal doctor an internist/cardiologist combo through my wife's healthcare insurance -- she's a NICU nurse, so everything is cheaper going through her hospital system -- is a huge advantage over anything my VA can provide me.