Ernst, Grassley seek answers from VA on additional unauthorized waitlists

U.S. Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) today sent a letter to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regarding a recent report in the Omaha World-Herald that details unauthorized waiting lists outside of the VA patient tracking system for some mental health appointments that date back to 2006.

This letter follows a recent letter from the Iowa Senators to VA Secretary Shulkin regarding a similar report of waitlists dating back to 2014. While they received a response regarding corrective actions in place, the letter today requests that the ongoing investigation include the reports of unauthorized waitlists in 2006.  

“As we stated in our first letter, it is important for veterans and taxpayers to know what disciplinary measures are being applied,” Senators Ernst and Grassley wrote. “We request that you keep us informed on how the Department of Veterans Affairs plans to hold culpable individuals accountable to ensure that this situation will not reoccur and the extent to which the scope of the VA’s ongoing investigation will include the older waitlists,” Ernst and Grassley said.