Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Whistleblower Reports Mental-Health Drug Substitutions At W.Va. Facility
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)
