Veterans, Residents Gather To Support VA Management Accountability Act
About 100 people gathered in Steele Indian School Park on Wednesday in response to a recent congressional announcement alleging that about 40 veterans in Arizona died as a result of a delay in care at the Phoenix VA health care system.
The rally was organized by the Phoenix chapter of Concerned Veterans for America to garner support for the Veterans Affairs Management Accountability Act of 2014.
Dan Caldwell is the organization’s legislative campaign manager. He said the bill, which would give the Department of Veterans Affairs more authority to fire poorly performing VA employees, is long overdue.
"Time and time again the VA has failed to accomplish its mission. And nobody has been held accountable for that," said Caldwell. "There needs to be a system in place where poorly performing VA managers can be fired and unfortunately that is not in place right now."
Caldwell added there are more than 80 co-sponsors for the bill so far, with a vote expected by Memorial Day.
The Phoenix VA healthcare system could not be reached for comment.
