Another VA scandal has erupted, this time for chronic and systemic failures to provide care, this time in Cincinnati. Scripps-Howard and WCPO report on a months-long investigation driven by almost three dozen whistleblowers who claim they have been ignored by VA officials and members of Congress in their attempt to rectify the issues within their hospital. At the same time, workers complain that acting chief of staff Barbara Temeck gets paid for two positions, while only performing one of them:

Here are some of the Scripps-WCPO findings, all based on interviews and documents:

• Services to veterans have been reduced, including spine and orthopedic surgeries, along with customized prosthetic services for artificial limbs.
• Dr. Temeck prescribed controlled substances, including hydrocodone and a generic form of Valium, to Mrs. Hetrick, the wife of her regional boss, Jack Hetrick. State and federal authorities confirm Dr. Temeck does not have a valid controlled substances license that would allow her to write prescriptions privately for Mrs. Hetrick.
• Dr. Temeck cut around-the-clock staffing by emergency airway specialists to save money, resulting in at least one close call involving a patient who could not breathe.
• Dr. Temeck told operating-room staff they were being “too picky” when they reported surgical instruments delivered to operating rooms with blood and bone chips from previous surgeries.
• Dr. Temeck is paid separately as a VA administrator and cardiothoracic surgeon. But whistleblowers say she has never served as the operating surgeon since coming to Cincinnati.

The nearly three dozen whistleblowers have been voicing their concerns for the better part of a year, including meeting in person with regional director Hetrick and reaching out to members of Congress and Secretary McDonald. They say little has been done to remedy the problems.

http://hotair.com/archives/2016/02/18/video-va-hospital-in-cincinnati-rocked-by-whistleblower-claims-of-malpractice/