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Gosar Speaks Out Against Neglect in the Phoenix VA Health Care System

PHOENIX, ARIZ. - Yesterday, the following remarks by U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) were read by Sean Johnson, the Congressman’s Wounded Warrior Military and Veteran Liaison, at Concerned Veterans for America's rally in Phoenix, which was organized to bring attention to mismanagement in the Phoenix VA Health Care System and the need for congressional reform:

“It is no secret that the Department of Veterans Affairs is failing countless veterans all over this great nation.  For years now, our servicemen and women have waited extraordinary amounts of time for the benefits promised to them.  Initial responses to claims still hover close to 1 year, with appeals taking even longer.  It is with a heavy heart that I say many of these veterans simply give up.  They feel abandoned by the country they fought for, and they either discontinue their pursuit of their rightful benefits, or worse, they give up on life completely.  Such instances are all too common today, and it is absolutely heartbreaking.

“More recently, reports have surfaced about neglect, and even malfeasance, on the part of the VA in terms of treating sick veterans.  A recent study conducted by the House Veterans Affairs Committee showed that as many as 40 veterans may have died as a result of the lengthy waits for care in the Phoenix VA Health Care System.  As you may have seen in a recent editorial in The Arizona Republic, apparently these VA workers are going so far as to keep two completely separate sets of records so they may conceal these ridiculously long wait times.

“Enough is enough.

“I agree with the end of that editorial, which simply asserted ‘Let the heads begin to roll.’

“To that effect, I have co-sponsored Congressman Jeff Miller’s bill, H.R.4031, also known as the Department of Veterans Affairs Management Accountability Act.  As you may know, Congressman Miller is the Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee.  This bill amends current law to allow the Secretary of the VA to terminate senior executives at the VA who have failed at their jobs.

“As an aside, I am frankly appalled at how difficult it is to fire ANY federal employee who is terrible at his or her job, but I will leave that for another discussion.  This bill is getting a lot of attention, and I will fight to ensure that it becomes law.

“I have also personally made legislative efforts to strike some fear into VA employees.  Recently, I made an effort to amend one of the Fiscal Year 2015 appropriations bills in such a way to withhold bonuses for senior executives at the VA for such a complete failure of our veterans.  Chairman Miller also liked the idea and co-signed that letter to the House Appropriations Committee.  We will find out soon if it will be considered by the full House of Representatives as part of the overall bill. 

“As I conclude, I would like to applaud the Concerned Veterans of America and the countless other veterans service organizations out there fighting on behalf of those who have sacrificed so much for all Americans.  With your help, these veterans have a strong voice with which to call for change.”

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