Congressman Sestak Expresses Deep Disappointment With Unsafe Practices at the Saint Louis VA Medical Center

Press Release

Congressman Joe Sestak (PA-07) wasted no time in communicating his continuing frustration and disappointment to both the Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs and Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki regarding deficiencies in the inspection and accountability programs of the VA Medical System. News from St. Louis describing circumstances surrounding the possible exposure of more than 1800 Veterans to serious diseases, including Hepatitis and HIV, while undergoing routine dental procedures once again illustrates the need for a cultural and procedural sea-change in the way the VA medical system operates. The "corner-cutting" actions that led to subpar sanitary procedures are truly astonishing. As such the Congressman is calling on Chairman Filner and Secretary Shinseki to support H.R. 3843 the Transparency for America's Heroes Act. That legislation was personally authored by the Congressman following a series of disturbing reports on medical care Veterans received at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center over a period of years.

"Since 2007 Congress has worked hard to overcome more than two decades of neglect of providing the VA with the resources necessary to meet our nation's moral obligation to our bravest citizens. Unfortunately, the resources provided in the last few years have yet to produce the aggressive and effective oversight necessary to make the VA medical system one of the nation's premier healthcare providers," said Congressman Sestak.

"There is outrage in Missouri, and nationwide, regarding the possible infection of 1,800 Veterans due to unsanitary Veterans Administration Medical Center (VAMC) dental practices. This tragedy reinforces charges made to me by three physicians formerly associated with the VA and my close review of multiple examples of sub-standard medical treatment at the Philadelphia VAMC. Change is needed, and is needed now.

"I have faith and confidence in the professionals of the VA Medical Center. However, in every industry it is the purpose of oversight and timely inspectors that distinguish great organizations from others. I learned in the Navy that you get what you inspect not what your expect. I want to know that all of the hard-earned tax dollars invested in the VA are being applied to the care of our Veterans."

As a Former U.S. Navy Vice Admiral, the dismal state of healthcare for our nation's Veterans that is so common today is one of the Congressman's primary concerns. Confronting this issue, the Congressman is pushing forward on all fronts, aiming to fundamentally improve the care our Veterans receive at the VAMCs nationwide.

Congressman Sestak is currently sponsoring HR 3843, the Transparency for America's Heroes Act. This Act has been proposed to change the current VA culture of abuse, mismanagement and waste into a productive and efficient system serving those who have served our country honorably. The bill was recently referred to the House Subcommittee on Health.

The following is the full text of the letter the Congressman sent to Chairman Filner:

Today there is outrage in Missouri, and nationwide, regarding the possible infection of 1,800 Veterans due to unsanitary Veterans Administration Medical Center (VAMC) dental practices. This tragedy reinforces charges made to me by three physicians formerly associated with the VA and my close review of multiple examples of sub-standard medical treatment at the Philadelphia VAMC (PVAMC). Clearly, the process for identifying and correcting poor medical practices at the VA Medical System is not effective and that situation requires immediate resolution.

Until March of 2010, Dr. Pamela Gray was a rheumatologist at the Hampton VAMC. It is her contention that she was subsequently terminated as a VA employee as a result of her actions to stop the over-prescription of Schedule II narcotics. Dr. Gray joins Dr. Anna Chacko formerly of the Pittsburgh VAMC and Dr. Robert Van Boven formerly of the Central Texas Veterans Healthcare System in alleging retaliation for exposing practices they believed negatively affected patient care. I respect the fact that these physicians put their careers and reputations at risk to advance the treatment of our Veterans.

Given today's reports from the St. Louis VAMC, and the extensive allegations of three qualified physicians, I request your personal cooperation and that of your committee in supporting passage of HR 3843. As you know, that legislation aims to increase the transparency and accountability of our nation's VA health care system. It does so by requiring the Secretary of the Veterans Administration to post redacted inspection reports (no personal identifying information) online. I look forward to working with you on this urgent matter."

Born and raised in Delaware County, former 3-star Admiral Joe Sestak served in the Navy for 31 years and now serves as the Representative from the 7th District of Pennsylvania. He led a series of operational commands at sea, including Commander of an aircraft carrier battle group of 30 U.S. and allied ships with over 15,000 sailors and 100 aircraft that conducted operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. After 9/11, Joe was the first Director of "Deep Blue," the Navy's anti-terrorism unit that established strategic and operations policies for the "Global War on Terrorism." He served as President Clinton's Director for Defense Policy at the National Security Council in the White House, and holds a Ph.D. in Political Economy and Government from Harvard University. According to the office of the House Historian, Joe is the highest-ranking former military officer ever elected to the U.S. Congress.

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