SC New York News

On September 27, 2024, Congressman Nick Langworthy issued a statement in response to a new report from the VA’s Office of Inspector General (OIG). The report details severe delays and mismanagement at the Buffalo VA, leading to critical lapses in care for veterans. It highlights multiple cases where veterans experienced unnecessary pain, suffering, and even death due to failures in management and oversight.

“This report reveals a horrifying level of negligence that resulted in veterans experiencing significant delays in the care they desperately needed,” said Congressman Langworthy. “This is not about a lack of resources—this is about sheer incompetence from leadership at the Buffalo VA that left veterans to suffer and, in some cases, lose their lives. I spoke with VA Undersecretary Dr. Shereef Elnahal, who confirmed there will be a disciplinary hearing for those responsible, and I have confidence in his ability to get the Buffalo VA back on the right track. Above all else, we must follow up on real reforms to put veterans first so they get the timely, quality care they deserve.”

House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Bost also commented on the issue: “The Biden-Harris administration has a responsibility to veterans and their families to ensure that they receive the VA healthcare and benefits that they are owed without delays. But time and time again I continue to hear from veterans and stakeholders that VA is neglecting its community care responsibilities because they want to bring care back in-house. I have said it before and I’ll say it again: following the MISSION Act is not optional—it’s the law.”

Bost added: “This latest IG report on the Buffalo VA highlights how important it is for every veteran to receive quick care that meets their treatment needs, whether in-house or in the community. Community care is VA care, and I won’t let VA bureaucrats restrict it. It is unacceptable that VA is allowing its own leadership failures to yet again lead to patient harm. The situation in Buffalo sadly reminds me of the failures in Phoenix which led to Secretary Shinseki's resignation in 2014. Secretary McDonough and Dr. Elnahal must immediately take steps to fix this situation and ensure all high-risk appointments are scheduled promptly; those responsible must be held accountable immediately.”

The OIG report outlines multiple cases of patient harm, including one veteran who died while waiting over two months for a radiation therapy appointment. The OIG concluded: “The findings revealed fundamental gaps in knowledge, competencies, management, and oversight…”

Despite these severe delays, leadership failed to act even after multiple concerns were raised by staff and providers: “System and community care leaders failed to resolve significant community care scheduling delays for patients with serious health conditions regardless of staff’s repeated efforts to notify leaders of these patient concerns” (Page 21).

Further confirming leadership's role in patient suffering: “Community care staff’s delays in scheduling patients’ radiation therapy and neurosurgery appointments resulted in delays in care and either caused or increased risk of patient harm” (Page 1).

Additionally highlighted was a breakdown in communication between providers, patients, and their families: “The OIG found that communication failures at the Buffalo VA resulted in veterans and their loved ones being left in the dark about their own care plans further eroding trust” (Page 4).

Read more about this story by accessing the full report.