Preliminary report suggest scheduling fraud is much worse than earlier reports

Washington Times:

A preliminary report released Wednesday found “serious conditions” at the Phoenix Veterans Affairs facility, including hundreds of veterans who were never placed on an official wait list and faulty scheduling practices that meant some veterans would never see a doctor.

“We identified an additional 1,700 veterans who were waiting for a primary care appointment but were not on the [electronic wait list,]” the report from the VA inspector general said. “Most importantly, these veterans were and continue to be at risk of being forgotten or lost in Phoenix [healthcare system’s] convoluted scheduling process. As a result, these veterans may never obtain a requested or required clinical appointment.”

The department launched the investigation after reports surfaced last month that at least 40 veterans died while awaiting care on a secret wait list at the facility. Since then, staff members at other facilities around the country have raised similar concerns, making some believe the problem is systemic.

The IG is currently investigating or is scheduled to investigate 42 VA facilities, the report said.
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Any private company that engaged in such activities would be shutdown.  Thgere is no excuse for this kind of thing.  Cooking the books to hide a problem does not cure the situation and only allows it to become worse.  Sound management requires that you produce accurate reports and let the chips fall where they may.