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Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki arrives
to testify before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee about wait
times veterans face to get medical care May 15, 2014 in Washington, DC.
(Chip Somodevilla/Getty)
Eric Shinseki, the secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, has handed in his resignation to President Obama.
Over the last few weeks, controversy has rocked the VA after at least 40 veterans reportedly died waiting for treatment at a VA medical facility in Phoenix, AZ. On Wednesday, Richard Griffin, the VA's acting inspector general, said that similar kinds of manipulation aimed at hiding long waiting times were “systemic throughout” the VA healthcare system.
"Our veterans deserve the best—they've earned it," President Obama said today at a press conference. "General Shinseki offered me his resignation and with considerable regret, I accepted.”
Shinseki's resignation comes just hours after he announced fixes to the VA system and met with President Obama to discuss the VA's review of improper care being delivered as VA facilities.
Senior leaders at the Phoenix VA hospital will be removed from their posts, and performance awards will be eliminated.
But the problem, President Obama explained, goes far beyond just Phoenix.
Todd Zwillich, Takeaway Washington Correspondent, explains what's next for the VA.
See Also: Whistleblower Sheds Light on VA Neglect
Over the last few weeks, controversy has rocked the VA after at least 40 veterans reportedly died waiting for treatment at a VA medical facility in Phoenix, AZ. On Wednesday, Richard Griffin, the VA's acting inspector general, said that similar kinds of manipulation aimed at hiding long waiting times were “systemic throughout” the VA healthcare system.
"Our veterans deserve the best—they've earned it," President Obama said today at a press conference. "General Shinseki offered me his resignation and with considerable regret, I accepted.”
Shinseki's resignation comes just hours after he announced fixes to the VA system and met with President Obama to discuss the VA's review of improper care being delivered as VA facilities.
Senior leaders at the Phoenix VA hospital will be removed from their posts, and performance awards will be eliminated.
But the problem, President Obama explained, goes far beyond just Phoenix.
Todd Zwillich, Takeaway Washington Correspondent, explains what's next for the VA.
See Also: Whistleblower Sheds Light on VA Neglect
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