Kirk Calls Out VA for Putting Directors Accused of Corruption in Charge of Latest Effort
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) criticized the latest move by Acting Veterans Affairs Secretary Sloan Gibson to initiate monthly site inspections by Medical Center and VISN Directors in an attempt to restore integrity to the scandal-embroiled agency. The officials in charge of these inspections are the same individuals who have been overseeing the vast culture of corruption and misconduct throughout the VA, which has contributed to the suffering of veterans in Illinois and nationwide.
Joan Ricard, Director of the Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital in Maywood, Illinois, will be one of the officials tasked with overseeing these efforts. Ricard, in a memo obtained by Senator Kirk’s office last month, was made aware of the scheduling and wait time manipulation at Hines and did not actively pursue punishment of those involved. Instead, more than $16.6 million in performance-based bonuses were handed out to Hines employees following these wait time manipulations. This plan would also have put Sharon Helman, a previous Director of the Hines VA Hospital and individual at the heart of the Phoenix VA scandal, in a position to oversee the same individuals she allegedly directed to manipulate schedules and wait times.
“The idea that corrupt VA Directors like Joan Ricard will be entrusted with reviewing the very fraudulent scheduling practices she oversaw at the Hines VA is insulting,” said Senator Kirk. “This latest move from the VA empowers the very individuals that contributed to the egregious nationwide misconduct and culture of corruption. Ricard should be fired, not put in charge of this laughable attempt to ‘restore integrity’ to scheduling practices.”
Late last week, Senator Kirk called on Acting Secretary Gibson to use his authority to declare a state of emergency, which would allow expedited access to private healthcare for veterans who have been victimized by excessive wait times for treatment. Kirk was joined by Retired U.S. Army Private Michael Swan, who has been a victim of the manipulated wait times at the Hines VA.
Swan was forced to wait for care at the Hines VA, and upon meeting with doctors for a colonoscopy, was told he was healthy and that there was nothing to be concerned about. However, Swan continued to have painful symptoms and discomfort, and went for a second opinion outside of Hines. It was discovered that he had 130 polyps on his colon, and has since had his colon removed. After suffering two strokes, he has waited more than a year to see a neurologist, and has waited more than  year to see an endocrinologist. Swan disclosed his medical records to Senator Kirk’s office, which showed vastly manipulated wait times since his original appointment date of March 6, 2013.
The memo from Joan Ricard to Hines VA employees is below:
Date: May 8, 2014
From: Director, Hines VA Hospital (00)
Subj: Accuracy in Scheduling Practices
To: Hines Employees
1. We are making an effort to improve clinic wait times at the Hines VA Hospital. The primary and specialty care wait times for new patients are important to newly-enrolling Veterans as well as return visits for Veterans. Hence, we are monitoring metrics to assure timely care.
2. The rules for scheduling appointments in the VA are complex. There are various steps that can make the reported wait times look good without actually improving the timeliness of appointments. For example, holding on to a consult for several days before creating the appointment in the scheduling package shortens the reported wait time but creates longer actual wait times and considerable delays for the patient. This and other similar maneuvers that decrease reported wait times, but do not improve
the actual experience of the patient, are not appropriate.
3. Over the years, with the complexity of the scheduling process and the pressure to improve reported results, there have been instances across the VA where staff has taken steps to make wait times look better. This memo is both a request and a plea that we all do our best to follow the recommended scheduling practices closely to ensure our reported wait times accurately reflect the actual experience of patients. Unless we know actual wait times, we are unable to truly understand our supply and demand.
4. Leadership at the Hines VA Hospital and Network 12 is committed to outstanding, timely care to our Veterans. If you believe there are unethical scheduling practices being conducted, please bring them to the attention of our Compliance Officer, Shaneka Campbell-Alexander, or the Hines VA Executive Leadership team.
5. Thank you for your continuing efforts in improving the experience of our Veterans and ensuring the scheduling practices are as accurate as possible.
Joan M. Ricard, FACHE
