Article

2014-11-26 Government

VA Fires Head Of Phoenix Hospital At Center Of Scandal

[WashingtonTimes] The Veterans Affairs Department removed the head of its Phoenix hospital facility Monday, more than six months after whistleblowers said veterans were dying while on secret wait-lists there, though veterans groups said the department still has a long way to go to rebuild trust.

Sharon Helman, the director of the Phoenix VA health care system, was officially fired Monday, though she has been on administrative leave since May.

"Lack of oversight and misconduct by VA leaders runs counter to our mission of serving veterans, and VA will not tolerate it," said Secretary Bob McDonald in a statement. "We depend on VA employees and leaders to put the needs of veterans first and honor VA's core values."

Glenn Grippen, a former VA administrator, will continue to lead the Phoenix facility until a permanent director is named. The VA said in a statement that it hoped to name Ms. Helman's successor "as quickly as possible."

The Phoenix facility came under fire earlier this year when whistleblowers said at least 40 veterans died while waiting for care. Investigations later found systemic problems of long wait times and poor-quality care at facilities across the country, leading to former Secretary Eric Shinseki's resignation.

Lawmakers have been pushing the VA to hold those responsible for the scandal accountable and have complained that justice is coming too slow, despite a new law that gives Mr. McDonald more firing power for senior staff.

Posted by trailing wife 2014-11-26 00:00|| || Front Page|| [9 views ] Top

#1 Fire 50% of the VA hospital heads, and maybe the survivors will be encouraged to do better in the future.

Posted by Anguper Hupomosing9418 2014-11-26 01:06|| 2014-11-26 01:06|| Front Page Top

#2 Sun Tzu and the emperor's concubines.

Posted by Procopius2k 2014-11-26 08:54|| 2014-11-26 08:54|| Front Page Top

#3 Fire 50% of the VA hospital heads, and maybe the survivors will be encouraged to do better in the future.

Yeah, that'll work (sarc.)

Posted by Pappy 2014-11-26 20:22|| 2014-11-26 20:22|| Front Page Top

11:03 SteveS
10:52 49 Pan
10:49 49 Pan
10:39 Warthog
10:37 DarthVader
10:35 Raj
10:31 MikeKozlowski
10:30 Frank G
10:29 MikeKozlowski
10:27 Frank G
10:26 Besoeker
10:23 Besoeker
10:23 Skidmark
10:23 Grom the Reflective
10:22 AlmostAnonymous5839
10:17 AlmostAnonymous5839
10:15 Skidmark
10:11 Skidmark
10:09 Crusader
10:07 Grom the Reflective
09:59 Super Hose
09:57 Super Hose
09:56 Super Hose
09:52 Super Hose