Tucson, Ariz. – Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva today called for a full and independent investigation of the Phoenix Veterans Affairs Health Care system following revelations from CNN that high-level officials have manipulated paperwork and refused to serve sick and injured veterans, sometimes for more than a year. Grijalva said the news that health officials deleted veterans’ paperwork and ignored repeated requests for medical attention demands immediate attention.

“The Department of Veterans Affairs inspector general, the Veterans Health Administration Office of the Medical Inspector, or another competent body needs to get to the bottom of this right away, not only for the sake of the veterans hurt by this ongoing malpractice but for the sake of the institution’s credibility,” Grijalva said. “The VA should send specialists to Phoenix as soon as possible to start treating and helping the people who have heard for too long that help is just around the corner. If complete oversight of the Phoenix facility by people from outside the city is necessary, so be it. This is not a time to play wait-and-see.”

Grijalva has consistently voted to increase funding and reduce wait times for veterans at VA hospitals.