26 Veterans Affairs facilities are currently under federal investigation for fraudulent record keeping and poor operations procedures that have kept veterans waiting excessive -- and sometimes deadly -- periods of time for health care.
It's hard to read about the frustrations and poor treatment veterans have endured at the hands of this corrupt system. Three years ago, 76-year-old Navy veteran Edward Laird sought treatment to check some small blemishes on his nose. Nearly two years later, he hadn't received the treatment he needed and filed an appeal to the head of VA in Phoenix. By that time, they discovered the blemishes were cancerous and half his nose needed to be removed, disfiguring him and lowering his quality of life.
Overworked physicians and high staff turnover are to blame for cases like Laird's, and with such a lack of organization and communication, patients and their urgent needs get forgotten and pushed aside.
This is unacceptable. Veterans risked their lives serving our country, and need compassionate, reliable care in their retirement. Navigating the health care system should not be a battlefield. VA hospitals need reasonable wait times, more transparency and better communication. Please sign the petition to urge Eric Shinseki to take action to end corruption and improve operations in VA hospitals!
As you know, 26 Veterans Affairs facilities are currently under federal investigation for fraudulent record keeping and poor operations procedures that have kept veterans waiting excessive -- and sometimes deadly -- periods of time for health care.
As an example of poor practices in VA hospitals, three years ago 76-year-old Navy veteran Edward Laird sought treatment to check some small blemishes on his nose. Nearly two years later, he hadn't received the treatment he needed and filed an appeal to the head of VA in Phoenix. By that time, they discovered the blemishes were cancerous and half his nose needed to be removed, disfiguring him and lowering his quality of life.
Overworked physicians and high staff turnover are to blame for cases like Laird's, and with such a lack of organization and communication, patients and their urgent needs get forgotten and pushed aside.
We feel that this is unacceptable. Veterans risked their lives serving our country, and need compassionate, reliable care in their retirement. Navigating the health care system should not be a battlefield. VA hospitals need reasonable wait times, more transparency and better communication. We respectfully urge you to take action to end corruption and improve operations in VA hospitals. Thank you for taking the time to read and consider our petition.
