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US Veteran Affairs Officials Falsify Wait Times for Patients

© AP Photo / Matt YorkThis photo from Saturday, May 17, 2014 shows the Department of Veterans Affairs in Phoenix
This photo from Saturday, May 17, 2014 shows the Department of Veterans Affairs in Phoenix - Sputnik International
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Reports released by VA Office of Inspector General reveal that supervisors in the department medical facilities in at least seven US states have urged their staff to manipulate patient’s appointments to create an impression of zero wait times.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Supervisors in the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) medical facilities in at least seven US states have urged their staff to manipulate patient’s appointments to create an impression of zero wait times, according to reports released by VA Office of Inspector General on Thursday.

"Testimonial evidence from multiple MSAs [medical support assistants] regarding the MAO’s [medical administrative officer] involvement in directing manipulation of wait times and analysis results from scheduling reports contrasted sharply with the MAO’s denials of responsibility," the report on a probe into a VA facility in California stated.

The Office of Inspector General released investigations regarding VA facilities wait time after a Freedom of Information Act request filed by USA Today.

This photo from Saturday, May 17, 2014 shows the Department of Veterans Affairs in Phoenix - Sputnik International
US Veterans Affairs Dept Fails to Analyse Repeated Medical Care Failures
The released reports revealed that several facilities in Arkansas, California, Delaware, Illinois, New York, Texas and Vermont falsified wait times to meet new VA requirements for appointments time.

The VA has already implemented disciplinary measures to 29 people involved in the violations, according to media reports.

The VA provides numerous benefits including health care, rehabilitation and disability compensation to Veterans upon completion of their military service.

The problems at the VA came into focus after an April 2014 CNN report disclosing that 40 veterans died waiting for doctor’s appointments in a VA hospital in Phoenix, Arizona. Many of the veterans were placed on a secret waiting list, which differed from another list shared with officials in Washington, DC.

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