Veterans Administration Investigation at Phoenix Finds 1,700 Veterans on Secret Waitlist

After rumors began circulating about a “secret waitlist” at the Phoenix Veterans Administration facility, an investigation revealed that the accusations were accurate, and that 1,700 veterans had never been put on the hospital’s official waiting list.

Investigators for the Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General said in their report that they found initial evidence that validated the accusations of “inappropriate scheduling practices” at the Phoenix Veterans Administration Hospital, which led to “significant delays in access to care.”

The alleged “secret waitlist” had been created to make the Phoenix Veterans Administration hospital appear as though it had made headway into shortening the hospital’s treatment wait times. In recent years, the entire Veterans Administration system has come under fire because many veterans wait months for treatment, sometimes becoming too sick for help or even dying as they face longer and longer delays.

“We identified an additional 1,700 veterans who were waiting for a primary care appointment but were not on the [electronic wait list,]” the report from the VA inspector general said. “Most importantly, these veterans were and continue to be at risk of being forgotten or lost in Phoenix [healthcare system’s] convoluted scheduling process. As a result, these veterans may never obtain a requested or required clinical appointment.”

Reports from April suggested that 40 or more veterans died while waiting for care at the Veterans Administration hospital in Phoenix.

“I have reviewed the interim report, and the findings are reprehensible to me, to this department, and to veterans,” VA Secretary Eric Shinseki said. “I am directing that the Phoenix VA Health Care System immediately triage each of the 1,700 veterans identified by the OIG to bring them timely care.” Shinseki, who faces bipartisan calls for his resignation due to mishandling the Veterans Administration problems, has put all of the Phoenix VA administrators on leave while the investigation looks into the accusations about the “secret waitlist.”

The report’s authors also said the Inspector General’s office had received “numerous allegations daily of mismanagement, inappropriate hiring decisions, sexual harassment, and bullying behavior by mid- and senior-level managers at this facility,” that would merit further investigation.

“Our reviews have identified multiple types of scheduling practices that are not in compliance with VHA policy,” the report said. “Since the multiple lists we found were something other than the official EWL, these additional lists may be the basis for allegations of creating ‘secret’ wait lists.”

The Strom Law Firm Can Help with VA Wrongful Death and Delayed Treatment Cases

The Veterans Benefit Lawyers at the Strom Law Firm, L.L.C. work with veterans to file claims for a variety of disabilities and can assist you in filing your claims with the Veterans Administration. Veterans Disability can be complex.  Not understanding the basics and not having counsel may leave you in a bind.  We understand that you and your family need your benefits.  We will put our years of experience to work for you to ensure that you have the representation necessary to actively pursue your claim. Call the Veterans Benefits Attorneys at the Strom Law Firm today to discuss your case. We will be glad to discuss any questions you may have during our free, confidential discussion. Call the attorneys at the Strom Law Firm at (803) 252-4800.