PROVIDENCE, RI – U.S. Senator Jack Reed today issued the following statement after President Obama announced the resignation of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki:

“I am appalled by the misconduct at the Phoenix VA and concerned about the integrity of the entire VA health system.  Those who cooked the books or helped cover up these delays should be prosecuted and held accountable.

“Our nation promises our veterans high-quality and timely access to medical care and we must keep that promise.

“Few Americans have served their fellow citizens both on and off the battlefield as bravely and wholeheartedly as General Shinseki.  He has taken full responsibility and will step down.  I think that is appropriate and I appreciate his decades of service and dedication to all those who have served.

“The VA operates over 1,500 healthcare sites nationwide and serves over 8 million veterans a year.  This is not about any one person or an isolated incident.  Congress needs to do its part to confront the systemic challenges that plague the VA.  That includes addressing the doctor and nursing shortage at the VA and increasing accountability.  We need an adequately funded and staffed VA.  I will continue working on a bipartisan basis to address these critical issues.  And the VA will quite literally be working overtime to ensure all our veterans have timely access to the care they need.”

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