Veterans in Colorado have had long waits for healthcare, according to a whistleblower who came forward recently. A maximum of 30 days are supposed to pass before a veteran gets care, but the whistleblower says U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs staff at three Colorado clinics tried to cover up longer waits, by making off-the-books lists of those waiting for care. Last week the department's inspector general announced it will look into these claims, after Republican Sens. Cory Gardner of Colorado and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin requested an investigation.
This news comes more than two years after similar allegations at a VA clinic in Phoenix, which led to the resignation of the head of the VA. Yet as recently as April, the Government Accountability Office found that the VA still needs to make changes to avoid similar scandals in the future. Associated Press reporter Dan Elliot covers veterans in Colorado and reported on the news last week. He spoke with Colorado Matters host Ryan Warner.
