Sexual Harassment and Bullying at VA Phoenix Medical Facilities?

The Phoenix VA Health Care Center

The Phoenix VA Health Care Center Ross D. Franklin/AP

Since the Veterans Affairs Department Inspector General started an investigation in April of patient wait times at the Phoenix VA hospital and six clinics, it has also received daily allegations of sexual harassment and bullying by managers.

The summary of the Phoenix IG report said “our onsite OIG staff and OIG Hotline received numerous allegations daily of mismanagement, inappropriate hiring decisions, sexual harassment, and bullying behavior by mid- and senior-level managers at this facility. We are assessing the validity of these complaints and if true, impact to the facility’s senior leadership’s ability to make effective improvements to patients’ access to care.”

The IG cautioned allegations are not facts – but if true, these make a horrible situation even worse.