![](media/image1.jpeg){width="6.433333333333334in" height="1.0in"}

> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
>
> April 9, 2004
>
> **VA Chief: TV Program a Disservice to America's Vets**

WASHINGTON -- The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the nation's
largest integrated health care system, a model of health care delivery,
was attacked last night by ABC's Primetime Thursday, which challenged
the quality of VA care and lapses in professional standards.

"Last night's program did a disservice to veterans across America. Far
from exposing problems, the program's apparent purpose was to alarm
people who deserve a more thoughtful and thorough analysis of the
nation's veterans health care system," said Secretary of Veterans
Affairs Anthony J. Principi.

"I am disappointed that Primetime Thursday took hidden cameras into a
few of our facilities, then withheld the videotape from us for five
months. That is simply unconscionable," said Principi.

"If they were truly interested in the care veterans receive, they should
have shared that information immediately. When we learn of a problem in
our system, we take corrective action right away," Principi said. The
day after learning of problems at certain facilities, VA immediately
dispatched inspection teams. Corrective actions taken by VA were cited
by Primetime.

VA encourages feedback about the quality of its health care programs
from all sources. Hotlines, patient advocates and partnerships with
veteran service organizations allow veterans, families and employees to
anonymously report any concerns they have. Contrary to comments made
during the report, veterans cannot lose benefits by voicing concerns
about their care.

Veterans, family members and employees may contact the Inspector
Generals office and the VA Consumer Affairs office with their concerns
at the following numbers:

-   VA Office of the Inspector General (OIG)

> 1-800-488-8244, email: VAOIG.hotline@forum.va.gov

-   VA Office of Consumer Affairs: http://www.va.gov/customer/conaff.asp

\- More -

**Primetime 2-2-2**

Confident that the program's narrow focus, featuring a few of VA's 162
hospitals, does not represent the system as a whole, Principi opened the
doors to VA facilities nationwide today, inviting media to see for
themselves the high quality care that Primetime clearly missed.

"We welcome media and public interest in veterans care," Principi said.
"Veterans care and benefits absolutely deserve a prominent place in
public debate."

VA has received praise from several independent organizations that
measure quality in the delivery of health care as well as a national
patient satisfaction survey. Much of that quality is a direct result of
the passion shared by 200,000 great men and women for our mission of
providing health care to this nation's veterans.

"With the biggest budget increases in our history, we cared for more
than 800,000 veterans last year than in 2001," said Principi.

"Veterans are coming to us in record numbers, including those who have
other options for health care," Principi said. "We had more than 50
million outpatient visits last year. This is a clear indication that VA
is providing veterans with the quality health care they want."

"While I expect all employees to uphold the highest standards when
caring for veterans, ultimately this is a leadership issue. I accept
that," Principi said. "And I fully expect VA employees in leadership
positions across the nation to stand up to that."

\# \# \#