(Photo by Carrie Jung - KJZZ)

Senators McCain and Flake report that Phoenix VA Center officials deny allegations that there are secret patient records.

Arizona Senators John McCain and Jeff Flake met with reporters and several veterans on Friday after a meeting with officials at the Phoenix VA medical center. The senators reported that hospital leaders denied allegations that any secret patient records existed within the system.

McCain added that the administrators denied that delays in care at the medical center led to the deaths of almost 40 people. 

"These charges are serious," he said. "I have some confidence that the inspector general plus senate hearings will substantiate that response of theirs, or if there is more to it...Our veteran’s community here has to be satisfied that the investigation has been thorough and that there’s been no whitewash "

Both legislators have reported a noticeable increase in the number of Arizona veterans who have approached them with concerns over the care they’ve received at the VA, and promised to do whatever was necessary in Congress to fix the system.