Members of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee were in Gilbert Monday for a field hearing on accountability at the Phoenix VA hospital.
While VA officials and stakeholders reported progress at the facility, they acknowledged they’re still a long way from where they should be. Emergency department performance and whistle blower retaliation remained serious concerns for hearing panelist Katherine Mitchell. Mitchell is a former Phoenix VA employee and a whistle blower herself. She said it still seemed like senior executives aren’t held to the same level of accountability as front-line employees.
"I am appalled at the lack of accountability for leadership, and frankly, I’m really disappointed in central office," she said. "They should be held to a higher standard than the rest of us."
VA officials acknowledged that many challenges remain, but said there are some signs of improvements, including a roughly 17 percent increase in completed primary care appointments.
The VA was also criticized for comments it’s deputy secretary made at a different hearing last week that “you can’t fire your way to excellence." Deputy Undersecretary for Health Dr. David Shulkin backed up his colleague’s comment.
"What we’re not going to do, we’re not going to have people tried in the press and tried through allegation. We’re going to treat people fairly because that’s the way you run great organizations," Shulkin said.
He testified that since July of 2014 officials at the VA have terminated 2100 employees, including eight senior executives.