To the Editor:
It was dismaying to learn from a national news story of the plight of a Veterans Administration "whistleblower" doctor in my hometown of Poplar Bluff, who has been confined to a small office and banned from practicing at the John J. Pershing hospital, all because he revealed that VA bureaucrats regularly pad their statistics in order to qualify for government bonuses.
This is just one of the many stories of how those who have risked life and limb for their country have been neglected and ignored by a bloated, uncaring and self-perpetuating bureaucracy, which for too long has remained unaccountable for unnecessary suffering and even deaths which have occurred because of VA incompetence. In the meantime, a highly qualified physician in the area of pain management sits idle in Poplar Bluff, unable to treat veterans who need his assistance.
During the eight years of the bumbling Obama administration, it was more than apparent that veterans were at the bottom of the president's priority list. It is hoped that, as the D.C.swamp is drained, efforts will be made to restore accountability and professionalism to a government agency charged with providing first-class health care for those who have bravely sacrificed in serving their country.
John Barham
Brownsville, Texas