The White House announced Wednesday morning that President Obama will meet with embattled Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki in the Oval Office Wednesday to receive an update on the growing controversy at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The sudden announcement indicates that Obama is responding to the increased pressure from the media and members of Congress as they press for an overhaul of the beleaguered agency.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Rob Nabors will also attend the meeting, as Obama has assigned him to investigate allegations that patients were put on secret waiting lists which led to delayed care.
On Wednesday, the VA’s inspector general announced that 26 facilities were being investigated for these allegations.
Nabors is expected to travel to Phoenix this week to meet with staff at the VA Office.