In letter, bipartisan Arizona representatives urge Department of Veterans Affairs to immediately implement OIG policy recommendations and training standards

WASHINGTON, D.C.—This week, Representative Greg Stanton led his colleagues Senators Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema, and Representatives Eli Crane, Debbie Lesko, Andy Biggs, Ruben Gallego, David Schweikert, Raúl Grijalva and Juan Ciscomani in a letter to the Department of Veterans Affairs, urging Secretary Denis McDonough to address concerns raised by a damning recent VA Office of Inspector General report.

The report, the members wrote, “found that the tragic death of a veteran at a Phoenix VA facility—a facility with a troubling history of ongoing patient care issues—was due to poor care management and delayed emergency care.” 

“This incident is a part of a troubling pattern of inappropriate response by the Phoenix VA, whose procedures have contradicted and failed to meet Veterans Health Administration standards,” the members continued. “We request an immediate briefing from you on how the Phoenix VA will implement the OIG’s recommended policy changes and training standards, as well as ensure lifesaving equipment is available.”

Read the full letter HERE.