A couple of blogs ago, I told you of the troubles that my brother-in-law had up at the Prescott VA. On Thursday, a story in the Daily Courier told of an investigation into possible problems that were brought to light by nurse Jerri Bedell who was fired after she came forward with information and blew the whistle.
The report vindicated her, but still she is a personna non grata in the medical industry. Bedell did to the Prescott VA what was tantamount to telling us that the Pentagon pays $100 dollars for a $20 dollar hammer, or that Sheriff Joe bought a bus without asking for permission. She should be protected by federal whistleblower laws. But, she cannot find a job.
The probem with the report was that it did not go far enough. The investigation only went so far as to say that some employees at the Bob Stump Veterans Administration Medical Center used drugs illegally. It did not go into the abuse of patients by the staff.
It did not go into the pervasive feeling of employees that they cannot bring to light injustices and malpractice that is going on up there. There are people that would come forward, but they have been threatened with their jobs and careers, and they are in no position to rock the boat. The feds certainly are not protecting them.
If the Office of the Special Counsel is really interested in justice and doing the right thing, It should keep the investigation going and dig deeper. Heads should roll. But, since the report has already been forwarded to President Obama, it is most likely closed and the true victims. the veterans, will never be heard from or about. The truth is, it did not want to go deeper.
My question in this is, "Where is John McCain?" McCain is the head of the veteran affairs committee and purports himself to be the champion of vets. Why is he not arraigning hearings, doing investigations by his committee? If there this is going on in Prescott, could it be happening in other places? Don't our vets deserve more answers and better care? Why does he hide his head in the sand?
Probably too busy trying to find a stake for J.D. Hayworth.
Doughnut
Wonder why someone like the Arizona Republic doesn't do some investigative reporting. Wouldn't a great start be to get anecdotal stories from patients and their families? Certainly they can point fingers and name names without reprisals? Why not use your own journalistic acumen an get the ball rolling? Certainly you must know someone who's been a guest at Bob Stump...
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