The report outlines an alleged “secret waiting list” that Phoenix VA workers placed sick veterans on in attempts to hide the fact that many veterans are waiting months to see a physician.
Sam Foote, MD, recently retired from the Phoenix VA system and told CNN that the secret list was implemented as a cover-up so the healthcare system could report to Washington that they were providing the timely appointments that VA requires, generally within 14 to 30 days, according to the report.
When veterans would come in asking for an appointment, staff would enter their information into the computer system, print out a hard copy and then delete the information from the computer, eliminating any record the veteran ever came into the office, according to Dr. Foote.
The hard copy was then placed into the electronic secret waiting list, and then the hard copy data is shredded, alleges Dr. Foote.
Dr. Foote estimates there are currently between 1,400 and 1,600 veterans on the “secret list” waiting to see a primary care physician, according to the report.
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