Group creates hotline for people to call about VA clinics

The prominent group Veterans for Foreign Wars is asking people to come forward to share their personal stories about receiving treatment at Veterans Affairs (VA) clinics.

With Congress investigating allegations that VA clinics tried to cover up long delays in treatment, Veterans for Foreign Wars is asking vets who use the system to call them and talk about their experiences, whether good or bad.

{mosads}“Recent allegations about improper care in Arizona, Colorado, Texas and elsewhere has made it difficult to separate truth from conjecture,” said VFW National Commander William A. Thien in a statement.

Several lawmakers have called for VA Secretary Eric Shinseki’s resignation after allegations surfaced that a VA clinic in Phoenix put veterans on secret waiting lists, with dozens dying as they awaited treatment. Separately, clerks at a VA clinic in Fort Collins allegedly doctored the books to make it appear as if veterans received appointments within a 14-day goal.

“Because timely access is key to a quality and responsive healthcare system, we need to hear real life stories, good or bad, not hearsay. Only then can we hold VA officials properly accountable for their actions or inactions,” Thien said.

The toll-free number is 1-800-VFW-1899.

The VFW has held off on calling for Shinseki’s resignation, although they issued a  critique Friday of his leadership.

“Veterans die every day, but veterans dying due to wrong diagnoses, unsterilized equipment or while awaiting treatment is a failure of leadership and management both in Washington and out in the field,” said Thien, who is a Vietnam veteran from Georgetown, Ind.

“The VFW helped to create the VA back in 1930, and over the years we have worked hard with every administration and Congress to increase the programs and services it provides to America’s wounded, ill and injured veterans and their survivors,” said the VFW national commander.

“We will not let the VA fail,” he said.