PHOENIX (AP) – Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald visited a VA hospital Friday for the first time since taking over the embattled agency last month, meeting with veterans and health care providers and vowing to restore trust in the organization.
Reports that dozens of people died while waiting to see a doctor and that employees covered up long wait times at the Phoenix VA hospital helped touch off a national firestorm over veteran care. The former VA secretary was forced to resign, and President Barack Obama on Thursday signed a $16.3 billion law to overhaul the department.
McDonald said his visit to the Phoenix hospital was the first of what would be many across the country in the next few months.
“I’ve been on the job about a week or so, and I’m more encouraged than I’ve been before,” the former Procter and Gamble CEO said. “This is doable.”
Sam Foote, a retired VA doctor who brought to light allegations of wrongdoing at the Phoenix VA hospital, said McDonald and VA Deputy Secretary Sloan Gibson are the right people to lead the department.