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VA Whistleblowers Face Intimidation In The Form Of Having Medical Records Altered
Image for representational purposes only.
In a House subcommittee meeting Monday, an individual from the U.S. Office of Special Counsel contended that whistleblowers from the Department of Veterans Affairs who testified faced pushback and intimidation in the form of having their medical records tampered with.
During a hearing of the House Veterans Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee on Oversight in Washington Monday, Special Counsel Carolyn Lerner testified that the total number of claims of retaliation “remains overwhelming,” according to Delaware Online.
Lerner said:
In several cases, the medical records of whistleblowers have been accessed and information in those records has apparently been used to attempt to discredit the whistleblowers…We will aggressively pursue relief for whistleblowers in these and other cases where the facts and circumstances support corrective action.
Meghan Flanz, Director of the Office of Accountability Review, echoed Lerner’s sentiments before the House panel. “I reiterate today … that the department has had and continues to have problems ensuring that whistleblower disclosures receive prompt and effective attention, and that whistleblowers themselves are protected from retaliation,” Flanz said.
One of those whistleblowers, Brandon Coleman of the Phoenix VA, has himself felt the wrath of the system. “I feel strongly that this proposal to reduce my benefits is nothing more than an additional retaliation against me because I came forward as a whistleblower,” Coleman said in a letter to The Blaze last month.
The Marine Corps veteran, who suffered injuries to his right foot while on active duty, explained that because of his willingness to step forward, someone tampered with his medical records. The VA themselves have threatened to lower Coleman’s disability rating. Coleman has asked Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., to look into the situation.
h/t: The Blaze
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This post originally appeared on Western Journalism – Informing And Equipping Americans Who Love Freedom
Source: http://www.westernjournalism.com/va-whistleblowers-face-intimidation-form-medical-records-altered/
