“After reassuring lawmakers for weeks that it has no shortage of personal protective equipment for its medical staff, Department of Veterans Affairs leaders are refusing to share documents with Congress that give an official count of its supply.”
“The House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs has requested the documentation dozens of times since March 23. Eight Democrats on the committee, including its chairman, Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., wrote to the White House Task Coronavirus Task Force on Thursday morning asking that it be shared immediately.”
“’If VA does not provide our committees with timely information, we cannot adequately exercise our oversight responsibilities, nor can we work with VA to minimize the harm to our veterans caused by this pandemic,’ the lawmakers wrote.”
“VA Secretary Robert Wilkie and Richard Stone, the executive in charge of the VA health care system, are holding weekly calls with lawmakers about the department’s pandemic response and sending daily briefings. Takano wrote that the information they’ve shared is insufficient and contrasts with news reports and what lawmakers are hearing directly from constituents who work at the department…”
“Internal VA emails have shown that some medical staff are conserving masks for up to one week, NPR reported. The Wall Street Journal obtained internal memos that revealed there were serious shortages of protective gear…”
“The House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs has requested internal memos, policy guidance, emails and written instructions that the VA has sent to its medical facilities about the pandemic response and the agency’s supply of PPE. VA officials told the committee they approved of sharing the information, but that it was being held up by the White House’s Office of Management and Budget…” Read the full article here.
Source: VA secretary refuses to share documents that detail PPE supply, lawmakers say – By Nikki Wentling, April 16, 2020. Stars and Stripes.
