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

May 17, 2024
Press
Veterans

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.

###

Recent Posts


Sep 25, 2024
Press

House Passes Kiggans’ Legislation to Preserve U.S. Coastlines

WASHINGTON, DC: Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed Congresswoman Jen Kiggans’ (VA-02) bill, H.R. 5490, the Bolstering Ecosystems Against Coastal Harm (BEACH) Act. This bipartisan legislation, which Congresswoman Kiggans introduced with Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-AL), aims to protect Virginia’s coastline by approving new, expanded maps under the Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA).  Signed into law by […]



Sep 24, 2024
Press

What They’re Saying: 30+ Legislators Sign on to Kiggans’ Pay Our Troops Act

WASHINGTON, DC: Last week, Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02) announced the reintroduction of the Pay Our Troops Act, which would ensure members of the military are paid in the event of a government shutdown. The bill will protect members of the military, including the Coast Guard, as well as certain U.S. Department of Defense civilian employees and contractors.  […]



Sep 23, 2024
Economy

Kiggans’ Effort to Bring Microchip Manufacturing Back to U.S. Passes House

WASHINGTON, DC: Today, the House passed S. 2228, the Senate version of Congresswoman Jen Kiggans’ (VA-02) Building Chips in America Act (H.R. 4549). This bipartisan, bicameral legislation will help bring microchip manufacturing back to America while maintaining critical environmental protections in the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts.  Following the passage of the CHIPS Act, companies throughout the semiconductor supply […]