CASTRO ON VETERANS MEDICAL CENTER DELAY ALLEGATIONS

Washington, D.C—Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement and letter following allegations of Veterans Affairs (VA) officials in Austin and San Antonio of manipulating medical appointment data at the Austin VA Outpatient Clinic and the North Central Federal Clinic in San Antonio:

“The allegations reported about VA hospitals’ officials in Texas tampering with waitlists of our sick veterans are deeply troubling. That is why I’ve written to Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki to ensure that we get to the bottom of these allegations. I look forward to the immediate review of all procedures at all VA Medical Centers, especially in San Antonio so many veterans across South Texas depend on these services.  As someone who grew up in San Antonio and now represents hundreds of thousands of veterans and soldiers in Congress, I’m incredibly grateful to all of all military men and women for sacrificing so much to defend our freedoms at home and abroad. We must do everything to ensure that we are caring for and supporting our veterans in every way we can and with the high quality they deserve, especially when they are ill. During their time as active duty military, they stood up for our nation. As a nation, we must stand up for them during their years as veterans.”
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May 8, 2014

The Honorable Eric K. Shinseki
Secretary
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
810 Vermont Ave NW
Washington, DC 20420

Dear Secretary Shinseki:

In light of recent allegations of tampering with waitlists to hide long wait times at Veterans’ treatment facilities, I was pleased to learn you ordered in-depth audits at all Veterans Affairs clinics. Earlier this week, similar allegations surfaced at the North Central Federal Clinic in San Antonio, Texas. 

I hereby request that you prioritize audits where claims of delays have surfaced and hold accountable those who would treat our veterans with such disregard. I ask that you bring the full weight of your office to rectify this issue and see that our veterans are treated in a manner that recognizes their sacrifices for our country. 

As you know, Texas is home to over a million veterans who rely on medical treatment at Veterans’ facilities throughout the state. I look forward to your prompt response. 

Sincerely, 

Joaquin Castro
Member of Congress

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