PHOENIX - It's a problem that has made national headlines for years and on Monday, the Phoenix VA scandal went to the federal courthouse.
Government officials are alleged to have falsified data to hide how long veterans were waiting to see doctors at VA hospitals.
Monday's arguments concerned a medical malpractice lawsuit against the U.S. government. The suit claims that the Veteran's Affairs Medical Center in Arizona denied access to care and failed to diagnose a military veteran with advanced-stage prostate cancer.
The plaintiff, Steven Cooper, served in the Army for nearly two decades. The complaint says the plaintiff sought treatment at the Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center.
He allegedly had difficulty being seen by a doctor and appointments were often rescheduled or canceled. By the time he actually saw a doctor, he was diagnosed with terminal cancer.
During Monday’s hearing, an independent expert witness called by the plaintiffs testified that a visit by Cooper to a VA-registered nurse in 2011 should have raised red flags to the possibility that Cooper had prostate cancer. On Tuesday, Cooper is expected to testify.
“We intend to prove the VA chose to ignore clear signs of cancer and chose not to treat Mr. Cooper and it cost him his life,” said attorney Greg Patton, who represent the plaintiff.
A handful of military service members showed up to the hearing Monday to observe proceedings.
One of them was Retired Air Force Staff Sgt. Ron Valdez. He alleges the VA failed to diagnose his own medical issues and he hopes Cooper’s trial results in more reforms at the agency.
“I hope it brings awareness and ultimately gives veterans choices that everybody else has,” Valdez said.
The scheduling chaos at the VA has been criticized for years. Some patients are still not able to get timely specialist appointments after massive reform efforts.
A report from the Officer of the Inspector General, just a few months ago, states years after Phoenix became the hub of a nationwide VA sandal, clerks and administrators remain confused and in conflict about scheduling policies.
More hearings over the lawsuit will continue throughout the week.
