An inspector general’s finding of a “systemic” practice of delaying care and manipulating records at Veterans Affairs facilities is a dismaying development in a .
Though others surely bear blame, it has become clear that VA Secretary Eric Shinseki must go.
He has been at the helm of this sprawling bureacracy for five years — enough time to tackle the of treatment backlogs.
The preliminary went further, however, in alleging widespread, orchestrated efforts to falsify wait-time data so hospital leadership could get awards and bonuses.
Not only is that beyond the pale, it also confirms the system is plagued by rot throughout.
On Wednesday, Colorado’s to call for Shinseki to resign, citing the scandal. Other elected officials, both Republicans and Democrats, expressed similar sentiments.
Running the VA, which serves nearly 9 million veterans and is the nation’s largest health care system, is no easy job. And cleaning up its problems won’t be, either.
Unfortunately, Shinseki does not appear to be equal to either task.
