Pryor Takes Action to Uncover Extent of VA Failure

LITTLE ROCK — After promising action to uncover the full extent of the scandal stemming from disturbing reports about the treatment of veterans at the VA in Phoenix, AZ, U.S. Senator Mark Pryor met yesterday with Michael Winn, the director of the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System in Little Rock, to determine whether any of the same abuses occurred here in Arkansas.

At 9 a.m. this morning, Pryor will also speak with the head of the VA facility in Fayetteville to ask the same tough questions.

“The recent reports detailing the systemic failure within the VA are appalling. I promised our Arkansas veterans I’d get to the bottom of this, and after asking some tough questions of federal officials it’s very clear that something needs to be done immediately to correct these problems,” Pryor said. “I appreciate Director Winn for leveling with me about the Little Rock VA’s waiting list, and I’ll continue to push for answers to ensure our state’s veterans are receiving the care they deserve.”

During yesterday’s meeting, Pryor asked Director Winn whether the Little Rock VA is facing the same issues that the Inspector General (IG) is now investigating at other VA facilities throughout the country. Specifically, Pryor requested information about the center’s electronic waiting list procedures and whether Arkansas veterans are experiencing delays in patient care. Winn said the Little Rock VA has recently been audited, but it has not been investigated further by the IG.

This morning, Pryor will speak with Dr. Mark Enderle, Director of the Veterans Healthcare System of the Ozarks. Pryor is a cosponsor of the VA Accountability Act, bipartisan legislation that seeks to reform the VA and improve its accountability to our nation’s veterans. Last week, he voted to advance the measure as part of the FY 2015 Military Construction-VA appropriation bill.

LITTLE ROCK — After promising action to uncover the full extent of the scandal stemming from disturbing reports about the treatment of veterans at the VA in Phoenix, AZ, U.S. Senator Mark Pryor met yesterday with Michael Winn, the director of the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System in Little Rock, to determine whether any of the same abuses occurred here in Arkansas.

At 9 a.m. this morning, Pryor will also speak with the head of the VA facility in Fayetteville to ask the same tough questions.

“The recent reports detailing the systemic failure within the VA are appalling. I promised our Arkansas veterans I’d get to the bottom of this, and after asking some tough questions of federal officials it’s very clear that something needs to be done immediately to correct these problems,” Pryor said. “I appreciate Director Winn for leveling with me about the Little Rock VA’s waiting list, and I’ll continue to push for answers to ensure our state’s veterans are receiving the care they deserve.”

During yesterday’s meeting, Pryor asked Director Winn whether the Little Rock VA is facing the same issues that the Inspector General (IG) is now investigating at other VA facilities throughout the country. Specifically, Pryor requested information about the center’s electronic waiting list procedures and whether Arkansas veterans are experiencing delays in patient care. Winn said the Little Rock VA has recently been audited, but it has not been investigated further by the IG.

This morning, Pryor will speak with Dr. Mark Enderle, Director of the Veterans Healthcare System of the Ozarks. Pryor is a cosponsor of the VA Accountability Act, bipartisan legislation that seeks to reform the VA and improve its accountability to our nation’s veterans. Last week, he voted to advance the measure as part of the FY 2015 Military Construction-VA appropriation bill.

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Jeri Pearson

Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.

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