Over the past few years, a number of whistleblowers have come forward with disturbing complaints concerning the G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center. This VA hospital is located in Jackson, Mississippi, and treats thousands of veterans per year. The whistleblower allegations raised serious questions about the hospital’s management system and ability to care for veterans.
A report from an independent federal agency criticized the Department of Veterans Affairs for not adequately responding to the information provided by whistleblowers which raises systematic concerns about patient care. The report from the U.S. Office of Special Counsel reprimanded the VA for downplaying the severity of its problems at several facilities, including Jackson.
In a letter sent Monday, June 23, 2014, to the President from Special Counsel Carolyn Lerner stated that she remained concerned about the VA’s willingness to acknowledge and address the problems raised by whistleblowers. She cited specifically to those brought to light in Jackson. Here, numerous disclosures concerning patient care were made by Dr. Charles Sherwood, Dr. Phyllis Hollenbeck, and five other whistleblowers. The VA substantiated alarming information, such as inadequate review of radiology findings, improper credentialing of providers, unlawful prescriptions for narcotics, unsterile medical equipment, and non-compliant pharmacy equipment used to create chemotherapy drugs. In addition to these frightening problems, the whistleblowers revealed a persistent patient care problem of understaffing and excessive wait times, resulting in patients leaving the facility without ever having received care.
Complaints against the Jackson VA are certainly not new. Several whistleblowers stepped out in 2009 to reveal concerns about improper sanitation and a lack of cleaning. The VA vowed to take action after these allegations surfaced, but the number of whistleblowers have only increased since then.
According to Special Counsel Lerner, despite confirming each of these problems, the VA raised the defense of “harmless error”—asserting that these issues had no impact on patient care. According to Lerner, this approach is preventing the VA from taking any real action to ensure veterans’ safety and health.
OSC recently closed investigations into the Jackson VA facility. It still has over 50 pending cases of whistleblower disclosures from various VA employees. In addition, Lerner’s, letter to the President came just two weeks after OSC stated it was investigating dozens of accusations of retaliation against VA whistleblowers.
Jackson VA officials have responded to Lerner’s letter by stating that they have embraced recommendations that came from OSC last summer and taken action to deal with identified problems. Officials state that the closing of the OSC report does not end its commitment to ensuring veterans obtain quality health care.
If you have information concerning unethical, illegal, or harmful practices occurring in your workplace, consult with a whistleblower attorney today to protect your rights. Whistleblowers are protected against retaliatory action for raising complaints concerning the disruptive practices they see. Further, qui tam lawsuits can result in the whistleblower receiving monetary compensation for their actions in coming forward to stop injustice.
Barrett Law PLLC: Protecting Mississippi’s Brave Whistleblowers
For over 75 years, across three generations, the Mississippi Whistleblower Attorneys at Barrett Law, PLLC have provided skilled, zealous, and intelligent representation for courageous Mississippi whistleblowers. We believe that whistleblowers serve a vital function in our society, exposing waste of government resources and fraudulent conduct. As such, we will strive zealously to assist you in exposing such harmful conduct. Barrett Law, PLLC operates on a contingency fee basis and the first consultation is always free. The attorneys at Barrett Law, PLLC pride themselves on ensuring each and every client receives superior representation, with passion and zeal. Call today at 1 (800) 707-9577 to schedule your free consultation.