White House Press Secretary Jay Carney indicated that President Obama was still standing by Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki despite the scandal surrounding the department.
Reports of systemic enrollment fraud at VA hospitals have raised questions about the department, leading to staggering delays in care for veterans.
Carney insisted that President Obama and senior White House officials first found out about the scandal through media reports.
Carney explained that Shinseki had achieved a number of successful efforts at Veterans Affairs, including increased health care spending and improvements in treatment for PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder).
Reporters were deeply skeptical about the resignation of Under Secretary of Health Dr. Robert Petzel on Friady – even though he was already scheduled to retire. In response, Carney pointed to the statement released by the American Legion praising the decision.
He asserted that President Obama was indeed “mad as hell” about the reports, but wanted to wait until there was a full investigation before taking action.