Here's an update on the Marion VA medical center that was scourged by reports of poor care and abuse. The VA just released another report on wrongdoing at the hospital, this one about poor management (the first one dealt with actual medical care). As The Southern reports, Illinois' federal lawmakers are sounding off.
Democratic Sens. Dick Durbin of Springfield and Barack Obama of Chicago made a joint statement.
"This new report from the VA confirms many of our suspicions about the problem that existed at the Marion VA Medical Center," they said. "The report paints a disturbing picture - a management culture that compounded problems at the facility; management at the regional level that did not serve as a quality check on the Marion facility; and no way for employees to complain or make meaningful suggestions about problems when they arose."
The senators said, "Our veterans and their families have made incredible sacrifices for this country, and when they return home, we owe them access to the best health care. Today's report proves that this was not the case at the VA medical facility in Marion."
People are rightly suspicious of how serious legislators are about seeing improvements and holding people accountable. Like this reader, who recently commented on one of our posts. Illinois congressional delegates meet with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs this week, so we shall see what comes of it. In the meantime, we can hope that the widows of victims, who are seeking redress through the civil justice system, force accountability themselves.
Thanks to John Homan for helpful correspondence
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