A memo has surfaced showing the Department of Veteran Affairs knew of secret wait lists and data manipulation of patient appointment information in 2010, according to a Washington Post report.
VA hospitals across the country are under investigation due to allegations of treatment delays resulting in patient deaths and leaders falsifying records. The problem is so widespread it has caused Congress to act by attempting to enact legislation that would create a quicker process for firing and demoting VA hospital executives.
Allegations of secret patient waiting lists and falsified appointment records have recently been made against VA hospitals in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Illinois and Wyoming.
At a Senate committee hearing last week, Robert Petzel, former undersecretary for health at the Veterans Health Administration, was confronted with a memo that he had received in 2010 from Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.). In the memo, Sen. Isakson questioned VA scheduling practices. The memo outlined at least 17 methods for covering up treatment delays to meet department goals that had been used by VA hospitals, according to the Washington Post.
After being confronted with the memo, Mr. Petzel admitted he knew of improper scheduling practices used by the VA in 2010 but said he could not recall any specific instances of employees being reprimanded for improper scheduling practices, according to the Washington Post.
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