Kiggans and Bost Demand Answers from VA After Missed Deadline for Hampton VAMC Investigation

WASHINGTON, DC: This week, Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02) and House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mike Bost (IL-12) called on the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide the necessary documentation requested by the Committee for its investigation into the Hampton Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Congresswoman Kiggans serves as the Chairwoman of the Committee’s Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee.

Led by Congresswoman Kiggans, the Committee launched an investigation into the Hampton VAMC following credible allegations of employee retaliation, patient safety concerns, and medical incompetence. On April 9, 2024, Congresswoman Kiggans and Chairman Bost requested documentation from the VA by April 26, 2024. As of May 16, 2024, the department has neglected to abide by the committee’s orders. 

“Every day these allegations go unaddressed is another day patients may be at risk,” said the lawmakers. “I trust you agree patient safety must be VA’s priority. As such, we ask that you immediately respond to our April 9, 2024 letter. Your response is vital to ensure Congress has proper oversight of this situation, so we can work together to ensure that Hampton VAMC is free of unacceptable danger to patients who receive its care.”

Full text of the letter sent to VA Secretary Denis McDonough can be found here and below:

Dear Mr. Secretary:

As you know, we have received troubling allegations from credible sources regarding the Hampton Veterans Affairs Medical Center (Hampton VAMC) and its Surgical Services department. After hearing these serious allegations, we sent VA a letter on April 9, 2024 requesting VA provide documents and answer questions by April 26, 2024 to further our Hampton VAMC investigation. Because the allegations directly impacted patient safety, we requested VA provide a response on an expedited and rolling basis. Disappointingly, VA has yet to provide a single document or answer a single question.

The enclosed April 9, 2024 letter includes our previous asks. Specifically, that VA produce various documents and answer specific questions on a rolling basis. The allegations surrounding Hampton VAMC are incredibly serious. They have created serious concerns that Hampton VAMC lacks the competent leadership needed to repair an imploding Surgical Services department. We appreciate that civil service laws protect employment, however, VA employees should never remain in important leadership positions if they have shown a complete inability to lead a team responsible for caring for veterans.

Every day these allegations go unaddressed is another day patients may be at risk. I trust you agree patient safety must be VA’s priority. As such, we ask that you immediately respond to our April 9, 2024 letter. Your response is vital to ensure Congress has proper oversight of this situation, so we can work together to ensure that Hampton VAMC is free of unacceptable danger to patients who receive its care.

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