Rep. Corrine Brown (D., Fla.) declared Wednesday that her state does not have any VA problems, announcing, "I did my reconnaissance in Florida. I can tell you, we're doing fine in Florida"—despite reports that a Gainesville VA medical center kept a secret paper waiting list, in violation of protocol. The VA Office of Inspector General is investigating the center, and three of the center’s supervisors are on paid leave.
"I can truly say I went and talked to various VA groups in Florida and not one single complaint, because we are doing our job," Brown said.
In addition to the paper waiting list, Florida papers have also recently reported on a case of a veteran who died of bladder cancer in 2012, and whose family claims he suffered because of a misdiagnosis. His case is under investigation by the VA.
Brown was on the defensive, suggesting that the VA is doing better now than ever before: "Under this president, when we had a Democratic House and a Democratic Senate, we got the largest VA increase in the budget in the history of the United states."
"Now Dr. Lynch," she concluded, "is there any additional information that you want to give me about the overall problems with the VA around the country? Because I know Florida is not included."
(h/t AR)