Veterans Affairs chief to visit Memphis hospital

Thursday, August 14, 2014

MEMPHIS - Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald is scheduled to visit with employees and leadership at the Memphis VA hospital.

McDonald's visit to the hospital on Thursday comes a day after he spoke at the American Veterans national convention in downtown Memphis.

The VA has been shaken by reports that some veterans have died while waiting a long time for appointments and treatment at VA facilities. The scandal led to the resignation of former VA Secretary Eric Shinseki and last month's appointment of McDonald, a West Point graduate and former Army Ranger.

A VA inspector general's report released last year said three patients of the Memphis VA hospital had received substandard care and died. The hospital says it has fixed the problems that led to the deaths.