Kirk Wants Probe Of Hines VA Hospital
From the Associated Press
U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk said Thursday that there is new evidence of a "culture of corruption" at a veterans hospital in the Western suburbs and that a federal investigation of the facility should examine whether any alleged delays in treatment contributed to the deaths of patients.
After pressure from the Illinois Republican and others, the inspector general for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs expanded a nationwide investigation to include the Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital west of Chicago. The claims of an effort to cover up delays in patient appointments at Hines have come from VA social worker and union representative Germaine Clarno. Similar allegations first surfaced in Phoenix last month and prompted an investigation of more than two dozen VA medical facilities nationwide.
Among Clarno's new allegations is a claim that in a rush to meet a required 14-day deadline for appointments, veterans were brought in for group consultations or informational sessions but did not actually see doctors or receive medical care.
Hospital spokeswoman Charity Hardison would not respond to the specific allegations but said in an emailed statement that the hospital's director was taking the claims seriously and supports the investigation.
"If the allegations are true, the inappropriate behavior is unacceptable and employees will be held accountable," the statement said.
Read more in our daily News Update...
From the Associated Press
U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk said Thursday that there is new evidence of a "culture of corruption" at a veterans hospital in the Western suburbs and that a federal investigation of the facility should examine whether any alleged delays in treatment contributed to the deaths of patients.
After pressure from the Illinois Republican and others, the inspector general for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs expanded a nationwide investigation to include the Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital west of Chicago. The claims of an effort to cover up delays in patient appointments at Hines have come from VA social worker and union representative Germaine Clarno. Similar allegations first surfaced in Phoenix last month and prompted an investigation of more than two dozen VA medical facilities nationwide.
Among Clarno's new allegations is a claim that in a rush to meet a required 14-day deadline for appointments, veterans were brought in for group consultations or informational sessions but did not actually see doctors or receive medical care.
Hospital spokeswoman Charity Hardison would not respond to the specific allegations but said in an emailed statement that the hospital's director was taking the claims seriously and supports the investigation.
"If the allegations are true, the inappropriate behavior is unacceptable and employees will be held accountable," the statement said.
Read more in our daily News Update...