Statement on VA Inspector General report about Phoenix VA

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, D-Ariz., released the following statement today about an Inspector General report from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, which found that troubling systemic problems persist at the Phoenix VA Health Care System, including delayed care that may have led to the death of at least one veteran.

“Today, we have even more reason for outrage over the poor leadership, understaffing and lack of communication and coordination at the Phoenix VA. More than two years after whistleblowers exposed terrible mismanagement and corruption at the Phoenix VA, we are still seeing deeply troubling reports like this one – the IG even found that delayed care may have led to the death of at least one veteran. I’ve always said that delayed care is denied care. Our Arizona veterans deserve strong, serious and transparent leadership to restore their faith in the VA system. Unfortunately, this IG report comes right on the heels of yet another deeply flawed executive being sent to ‘lead’ the Phoenix VA. So here’s my message to the VA’s top leaders: Stop sending your problems to Phoenix, and start fixing ours.”

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