Speaking at a national convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in St. Louis, Missouri, the acting secretary of the embroiled Department of Veterans Affairs vowed to end whistleblower retaliation. This promise comes shortly after a private government watchdog agency released a report documenting and criticizing the VA’s negative treatment of employees who brought internal problems to light.
During the July 22, speech, Sloan Gibson pledged that the VA would do more to listen to workers who report problems. Gibson, a former bank executive, took over the VA in late May after Eric Shinseki resigned amid controversy concerning treatment delays and falsified records occurring at VA hospitals nationwide. The alarming reports included allegations that dozens of patients died awaiting treatment.
The Jackson, Mississippi VA hospital, called the G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center, was at the heart of much controversy. Several whistleblowers reported poor patient care at this hospital, including reports by Dr. Phyllis Hollenbeck, Dr. Charles Sherwood, and five other employees. These doctors and staff reported that at the Jackson VA patients received inadequate review of radiology findings, were provided with unlawful prescriptions for narcotics, treated with unsterile medical equipment, and provided with chemotherapy drugs that were created using non-compliant pharmacy equipment. In addition to these alarming problems, the whistleblowers revealed persistent problems with under-staffing, excessive wait times, and care that occurred so slowly patients elected to leave the hospital. There are still over 50 lodged whistleblower complaints at the Jackson VA facility awaiting review and action.
On Monday, July 21, the Project for Government Oversight revealed that it had received complaints from almost 800 current and former VA workers as to possible wrongdoing. Gibson stated in his speech before the Veterans of Foreign Wars that as a former private sector leader, he learned the most important source for information and improvement is employees. If the VA is to deliver a better outcome for patients, Gibson said, it cannot create an environment where employees are afraid to speak out against misconduct. The current environment in which employees’ opinions and concerns are not welcomed or tolerated must change, according to Gibson.
While Gibson’s speech was well received and employees along with the public hope his promises ring true, most remain skeptical. Gail Wilson, a Vietnam veteran from Oxford, Mississippi says that he will not be convinced until he sees tangible changes. His last appointment at the Memphis VA office was canceled at the last minute, without notice.
Any whistleblower who believes they have experienced an act of retaliation should consult with a licensed attorney in their area as soon as possible. As whistleblowers, you have the right to be protected from any sort of retaliation and can take action to correct your employer’s wrongdoing.
Barrett Law PLLC: Mississippi Whistleblower Attorneys Protecting Employee Rights
The Jackson, Mississippi VA hospital has received much criticism and several alarming reports as of late. The brave whistleblowers who stepped forward to expose poor patient care, long wait times, understaffing, and dangerous misdiagnoses are legally entitled to protection from any sort of retaliation. Despite federal and state protections, some of these whistleblowers have experienced retaliation in the form of firings, being passed by for promotions, ill treatment, and more. The Mississippi Whistleblower Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC vow to protect courageous VA hospital whistleblowers who strive to make the hospital a better place for patients. For over 75 years, we have assisted VA employees and hundreds of other employees in bringing to light fraudulent activities while protecting against any sort of mistreatment. For help with your potential whistleblower action, call Barrett Law PLLC today at 1 (800) 707-9577 to schedule your free consultation.