VA Secretary Shinseki Furious Over Allegations
The head of Veteran's Affairs said he's angry over the possibility of poor quality health care at VA hospitals, including one in Phoenix, Arizona, where as many as 40 veterans died while waiting for treatment.
VA Secretary Eric Shinseki faced tough question from a Senate committee Thursday about the delays in treatment at the Phoenix facility and a reported cover-up afterward.
"Any adverse incident like this makes me mad as h-ll," Shinseki told. "I could use stronger language here Mr. Chairman, but in deference to the committee, I won't."
One of the 40 veteran victims in Phoenix was Purple Heart recipient Ralph Nicastro. Nicastro died after waiting 15 months to see a specialist about a lump on his neck.
"No one ever answers," he wrote in his journal. "No one ever calls me back."
President Barack Obama has issued a statement, saying it's clear the VA needs to do more to ensure quality care for America's veterans.
Last week, the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs issued a rare subpoena to Shinseki, requesting any records in which he and other VA officials discussed destruction of a secret list of patients.
Although Shinseki is promising investigations at every VA clinic and hospital to counter growing allegations of problems, some veterans groups say they've lost confidence in the VA.
