VA Secretary Shinseki subpoenaed by Senate in Phoenix waiting list case

Troubling allegations that Department of Veterans Affairs officials in Phoenix hid long delays in patient care through the use of off-the-books waiting lists have led the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs to schedule a hearing Thursday to discuss the state of veterans' healthcare.

As many as 40 veterans have died reportedly while waiting for appointments. Last week, the House Veterans' Affairs Committee voted unanimously to subpoena VA Secretary Eric Shinseki and other senior VA officials to supply documents relating to the alleged secret waiting list intended to conceal delays in appointments that could last more than a year.

CNN reported that a recently retired VA doctor said VA officials in Phoenix instructed staff to not make medical appointments using the official computerized appointment system because that list would be shared with VA officials in Washington and used to determine if the facility was complying with timely appointment requirements.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), chairman of the Senate panel, said he called the hearing to allow Shinseki to address how the VA system can improve its care for veterans. Reports by the VA inspector general and Government Accountability Office have raised concerns for a number of years about delayed appointments and recordkeeping problems.

“It is imperative that we uncover the problems that exist in the system and address them boldly,” Sanders said in a written statement. “The veterans of our country deserve the best-quality care that we can provide and I intend to do my best to make sure that happens.”

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