Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson released the following statement concerning the allegations of misconduct in the Dallas Veterans Administration Health Care System:
“ I am pleased that the incidents involving the Phoenix VA Health Care System are finally receiving national attention and that the president has appointed Rob Nabors, the White House Deputy Chief of Staff, to investigate the allegations of employee misconduct and the manipulation of VA patient wait-times. This is laudable. But I would urge Mr. Nabors to cast a wider net. My staff and I have been working on similar VA issues within the Dallas VA Health Care System for more than 5 years. Recently, I was made aware of allegations that the VA staff in Dallas was instructed to destroy appointment records. It has been difficult to get VA staff to step forward in light of recent claims related to an institutional culture of retaliation within the VA.
It is the job of elected officials to speak up and fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. I take these allegations very seriously. I have contacted the VA’s Office of Inspector General and requested that they investigate allegations that the VA ordered its staff at the Dallas VA to destroy appointment records.
This entire situation is heartbreaking. I worked at the VA Hospital in Dallas for 15 years, and I loved my work and the people I was privileged to serve. I am also aware of the culture there and how hard-working and loyal the employees there are. They should be protected. Their leaders should not force them to choose between being able to feed their families and carrying out a public trust. More importantly, the tens of thousands of veterans who depend on the VA for their care should be protected. I care very deeply for every Veteran who risked their life and health to serve our country. The VA health care officials should as well. As a nation, we should stand with a united voice and call for the protection of those who risk life and limb to protect us.
I am calling for the VA’s immediate action to improve the speed and quality of health care provided to our country’s heroes. I am calling for an immediate, independent, objective review of the Dallas VA. If these allegations are true, corrective actions should be swift.”
