McCain, other lawmakers blast new VA director for reform delays

http://www.stripes.com/news/mccain-other-lawmakers-blast-new-va-director-for-reform-delays-1.309956

McCain, other lawmakers blast new VA director for reform delays

By Travis J. Tritten
Stars and Stripes
Published: October 23, 2014

WASHINGTON — The VA and its inspector general were hit with new criticism from Congress this week over the handling of records manipulation in the Phoenix veterans’ hospital system.

Arizona senators John McCain and Jeff Flake on Thursday said newly appointed VA Secretary Bob McDonald is failing to terminate misbehaving executives such as disgraced Phoenix director Sharon Helman, despite a new law that fast-tracks firings.
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“The clearest example of your failure to change the culture at the VA is the continued employment of Sharon Helman … who has been on paid administrative leave for nearly six months,” McCain and Flake wrote in a Thursday letter. “Ms. Helman and other senior leaders collected huge bonuses for the timely delivery of health care to veterans, many of whom died while awaiting care after being placed on secret waiting lists.”
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“We are extremely disappointed in this lack of a timely response after the positive meeting we had and the assurances you gave us during your confirmation process,” they wrote.

In a response to Stars and Stripes, the VA said it is working to build a strong leadership team but must wait for the conclusion of a federal probe before removing Helman.
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