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(Phoenx) Auditor ties VA waits to deaths
http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/investigations/2014/09/17/va-inspector-general-delayed-care-may-have-contributed-deaths/15793641/Auditor ties VA waits to deaths
Dennis Wagner, The Republic | azcentral.com 10:51 p.m. MST September 17, 2014
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Department of Veterans Affairs' internal watchdog testified Wednesday that delayed treatment for thousands of Arizona veterans may have contributed to some deaths, a strikingly different emphasis than in an August report on the Phoenix VA medical center that emphasized that delayed care had not conclusively caused patient fatalities.
In a frequently contentious hearing before the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, acting Inspector General Richard Griffin defended his Aug. 26 report on the Phoenix VA Health Care System against criticism that the findings amounted to a "whitewash" to downplay the impact of delayed medical care on Arizona patients.
"We are scrupulous about our independence and take pride in the performance of our mission," Griffin insisted while being grilled by lawmakers.
Some members of Congress, as well as Phoenix whistle-blowers, have asserted that the Office of Inspector General report, which verified mismanagement and fraudulent delays in care, misrepresented the damage done to veterans.