VA Scandal 2014: Pentagon Chief Chuck Hagel Initiates 'Comprehensive Review' of Military Health System
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel ordered a 90-day "comprehensive review" of the military health system on Tuesday in midst of an investigation into the long treatment delays at VA hospitals, which may have led to the death of 40 veterans.
The extensive review also comes in the wake of a recent report of the deaths of two young patients who were treated at an Army hospital. According to The New York Times, the Army removed the commander at Womack Army Medical Center at Fort Bragg, North Carolina and suspended three officials after two people in their 20s died after visiting the hospital's emergency department within the past two weeks.
The Pentagon announced that Hagel's review was unrelated to these reports and was instead prompted by reviews inside the Department of Veterans Affairs. According to reports, VA hospital officials allegedly used secret waiting lists and other methods to keep veterans waiting for care, which is believed to have contributed to the deaths of some vets, reports Politico.
Hagel wants added assurance that the Defense Department does not have problems similar to those within the VA, announced top Pentagon spokesman Rear Adm. John Kirby. His review will be led by the assistant secretary of defense for health affairs.
The Pentagon press secretary released a statement saying the review would examine "whether current access to care meets the department's standards" in addition to "the safety and quality of care provided to all Department of Defense beneficiaries."
"It is fair to say that he ordered this review within the context of what is going on at the VA. To the degree we have similar issues - and we do not know that we necessarily have them - he wants to know and he wants to attack them aggressively," Kirby added, reports Reuters.