U.S. Senator Jeff Flake was in Phoenix Wednesday to meet with interim Phoenix VA director Glen Grippen. The lawmaker skipped a two-day Republican retreat in Hershey Pennsylvania to make the meeting.
The discussion took place at the Phoenix VA medical center just before noon. Senator Flake said the meeting was positive and believes things are improving at the facility.
Flake praised Grippen, who came out of retirement to take the position as interim director, but added the agency needs to work toward a permanent assignment.
"We need accountability here," said Flake. "That needs to be ongoing. Despite the best efforts of interim directors, you’re just not going to have that as long as they’re interim."
The senator also reports that his office has seen a change in the type of complaints they’re receiving from veterans, shifting from wait time to issues with VA system reimbursement.
