WASHINGTON – On April 3, 2014 the House Veterans Affairs Committee held a hearing on Trials in Transparency II: Is VA responding to Congressional Requests in a Timely Manner. Congressman Tim Huelskamp (KS-01) questioned Deputy Secretary Sloan Gibson regarding the serious lack of transparency, absence of accountability, and the deadly delays of care.

“In the past month I have heard from numerous Kansans concerned about the quality and access of care at VA facilities in Kansas: namely the Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in Liberal Kansas as well as the Topeka VA hospital.

“At today’s hearing, I asked Deputy Secretary Gibson why the Liberal Kansas CBOC has been without a doctor for over two and half years. And why, when the VA promised me they were finding a physician in March 2013, they never informed my office of their failure to do so. As a member of the Veterans Affairs Committee, I should not have to rely on constituents reports regarding the veracity of the VA’s claims.

“Additionally, I raised the issue of the Topeka VA Hospital that has been downgraded from an Emergency Room to an Urgent Care clinic. The response I got back from the VA was more of the same typical excuses, empty promises, and apologies. It seems that this department is wholly unable to provide correct information when asked.

“These ongoing VA issues demonstrate why Kansans have such little faith in the Federal Government and its ability to care of our veterans. Know that I will continue to fight for them against incompetent and corruption at the VA in order to give them the care that they have earned.”