LAMAR SMITH: 3 Central Texas Facilities Confirmed in Veterans Hospitals Investigation

Obamas 2008 presidential transition team was warned Texas Insider Report: Washington D.C.  In 2008 the Presidents transition team was warned about long wait times scheduling problems and even concerns about denial of care to deserving veterans. Our nations veterans dedicate their lives to protecting America and keeping us safe.  We need more than outrage from the President; we need swift action to protect the health and well-being of our veterans said Cong. Lamar Smith (TX-21) upon learning that facilities in San Antonio Austin and Waco are being investigated.     Veterans Affairs Acting Inspector General Richard Griffin has confirmed that his office is investigating allegations of misconduct at three Central Texas VA facilities:

1. the North Central Federal Clinic in San Antonio
2. the Austin Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic and
3. the Waco Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Earlier this month Cong. Smith sent a letter to Veterans Affairs Acting Inspector General Richard Griffin calling for an immediate investigation into allegations of misconduct at three VA facilities in Texas. Smith was joined by 23 members of the Texas delegation in sending the letter. In a response letter to Cong. Smith and the 23 members of the Texas delegation the IG stated that his office is actively investigating allegations that employees manipulated medical records to conceal long wait times for veterans seeking care. The IG said that he expects the investigation to be completed by August and promised a full report to Congress at that time. Cong. Smith said the following statement in response to the IGs letter.

I am pleased to hear that the Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General has confirmed they are investigating serious allegations of misconduct at three Texas VA facilities. Americans across the country are rightly outraged by reports that VA employees doctored medical records to conceal long wait times for sick veterans in need of care. President Obama recently echoed the concerns of millions of Americans regarding the serious allegations.  But where was the Presidents outrage five years ago when his staff was initially told about the problems at the VA?  An independent investigation by the Inspector General is a first start. We must make sure that the IG investigators have all the tools and resources they need to get to the bottom of these troubling allegations. Anyone found to have violated the law should be prosecuted.  And anyone who engaged in misconduct should be fired.  We have a solemn duty to ensure that they receive the very best medical care our nation has to offer."

According to media reports employees at the North Central Federal Clinic in San Antonio the Austin Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic and Waco Veterans Affairs Medical Center were instructed by supervisors to ensure that wait times for veterans were as close to zero days as possible." An employee of Veterans Affairs who recently worked at all three clinics claims that staffers falsely logged patients desired appointment dates to closely coincide with appointment openings. But in reality veterans were left waiting for months. Cong. Lamar Smith is the Chairman of the House Committee on Science Space & Technology and also serves on the Committee on Homeland Security as well as the House Committee on the Judiciary.