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Morning Briefing

Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations

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Thursday, Apr 23 2015

Full Issue

Whistleblower Reports Mental-Health Drug Substitutions At W.Va. Facility

According to a federal investigation, the substitution, which involved putting patients at risk by using older, less expensive drugs instead of the prescribed medications, was done to save money. Other headlines suggest that Veterans Affairs whistleblowers felt "demoralized" and faced hostile work environments for reporting claims-processing failures.

The Washington Post: VA Clinic Substituted Mental-Health Drugs To Save Money

A Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in West Virginia put patients at risk by substituting prescribed mental-health medications with older drugs to cut costs, according to a federal investigation. The practice, exposed by an agency whistleblower, violated VA policy and created a “substantial and specific danger to public health and safety,” the department’s Office of Medical Inspector found. (Hicks, 4/23)

The Washington Post: VA Benefits Claims Employees In Philadelphia And Oakland Say They Were ‘Demoralized’ When They Blew The Whistle On Problems

Veterans Affairs whistleblowers from two VA regional offices — Philadelphia and Oakland — told a U.S. House committee hearing that management at their benefits claims office “created a hostile work environment” that has left employees “very demoralized,” and they endured psychological abuse after they reported failures to process thousands of claims. (Wax-Thibodeaux, 4/22)

This is part of the Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.
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