Sen. Mitch McConnell’s (R-Ky.) primary challenger called for a “major overhaul” of the Department of Veterans Affairs amid allegations that some medical facilities hid evidence of massive wait times.
Matt Bevin tweeted Saturday that the situation at the VA is “shameful” and people need to be held accountable.
“Our veterans have been willing to risk their lives in service to our country,” Bevin said in a statement. “But, in this case, the danger they face is coming from the very government entity put in place to help protect them.”
{mosads}Bevin’s comments come a day after the VA’s top healthcare chief Robert Petzel resigned. In testimony Thursday, Petzel said he was aware of a 2010 memo detailing how to make wait times appear shorter.
Bevin joined other Republican critics in calling for more action.
“Resignation is not enough when mismanagement turns deadly — we need to hold them accountable,” he said.
Bevin supports giving veterans vouchers to buy private insurance instead of relying the current VA health system.
In a speech on the Senate floor Thursday, McConnell called the allegations about the VA “shocking,” and asked for President Obama’s complete attention in solving the problems.
Kentucky will hold its primary on Tuesday, but McConnell has consistently won in polls.