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Hospital Delays Are Killing America’s War Veterans

Military veterans are dying needlessly because of long waits and delayed care at U.S. veterans hospitals, according to a recent CNN investigation. The problem has been especially dire at the Veterans Medical Center in Columbia, South Carolina, where veterans waiting months for simple gastrointestinal procedures — such as a colonoscopy or endoscopy — have been dying because their cancers aren’t caught in time. To date, the VA has confirmed six wrongful deaths tied to delays, but sources close to the investigation say the number of veterans dead or dying of cancer because they had to wait too long for diagnosis or treatment at this single facility could be more than 20.

What’s worse, CNN has obtained government documents (that have not been made public) showing that the VA hospital knew that its growing waiting list and delays in care were having deadly consequences. And still, they did nothing about it. In fact, time and time again, even at hospitals where veterans died waiting for care, administrators got bonuses, not demotions, according to congressional investigators.

This story, unfortunately, has broader implications beyond just this particular VA hospital. Think about it.

If this many veterans are dying because of delays in diagnosis or treatment at a single VA hospital, imagine how many more veterans are dying at the other 1,700 VA hospitals across the country as a result of similar delays. Then, try to imagine how many non-veteran patients are dying at private hospitals all over this country because of similar delays.

The point is that this story is about much more than a single VA hospital. Delays in diagnosis and treatment are far too common – at VA hospitals and private hospitals alike – and the results often are deadly.

The point is that this story is about much more than a single VA hospital. Delays in diagnosis and treatment are far too common – at VA hospitals and private hospitals alike – and the results often are deadly.

If there has been a significant delay in your diagnosis or treatment, do not wait to contact an experienced medical malpractice attorney.