Veterans Die on Secret Waiting List

Many of the 40 U.S. veterans who have died while waiting for appointments from the Phoenix Veterans Affairs Health Care System were reportedly on a secret waiting list. According to CNN, the secret list compiled by VA Affairs managers in Phoenix had 1,400 to 1,600 veterans who were forced to go months without seeing a doctor. Apparently, the VA in Phoenix had the list to hide the number of veterans waiting for care, as the VA requires hospitals to provide care within 14 to 30 days. Instead, the Phoenix VA was able to hide when a veteran first came in seeking an appointment, and even compiled a “sham list” for officials in Washington that showed timely appointments.