Pittenger: Fresh leadership needed at V.A.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONGRESSMAN PITTENGER:  V.A. NEEDS NEW MANAGER WHO WILL ‘INSPECT FOR WHAT HE EXPECTS’

WASHINGTON – Congressman Robert Pittenger (NC-09) had these comments after reviewing the Department of Veterans Affairs Inspector General interim report regarding systemic problems with patient scheduling and wait times:

“General Shinseki is an honorable man who has dedicated his life to serving America, but fresh leadership is necessary to root out the corruption, ineffectiveness, and bureaucratic stagnation plaguing the Department of Veterans Affairs.

“Our brave veterans deserve an effective, outside manager who will actively visit V.A. facilities and inspect for what he expects.  As an experienced businessman, I know it is impossible to develop meaningful solutions without a hands-on understanding of the problem.  A strong, engaged manager would know if bureaucratic reports were being rigged to mask serious issues.

“The systemic problems at the VA are bigger than any one person.  Change must start at the top, but it can’t end there.  Our veterans deserve better.”

Congressman Pittenger’s staff has helped thousands of local veterans resolve issues with the V.A.  Any veteran living in North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District is eligible to receive assistance.  To learn more, call Congressman Pittenger’s Charlotte office at 704-362-1060.

###