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VA pays Iowa vet $500K to settle suit over botched treatment Share Shares Copy Link Copy

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WEBVTT <09;08-14 GailGraham/Central Iowa VA Health Care System Director "we were a little surprised to see the toneof the letter.">It's a letter from Senator ChuckGrassley -- claiming Iowa Veteran Affairs facilitiesprovided misleading information on wait times.One of those facilities calledout -- central Iowa's VAfacility in Des Moines. <NEAR 9:33Grassley "The excuse they gavethat they didn't really knowwhat information we reallywanted, is totally incorrect."> But in an interview Thursday, the facility's director GailGraham says it really was a misunderstandin g -- fullyadmitting they have veteranswaiting over 90 day for certain care. <02;23-27 GailGraham/Central Iowa VA Health Care System Director "it's notsomething that we've ever hidden. It's been out in thepublic view.">Graham says information a whistleblower provided to Grassley is accurate. Those numbers show since mid-March in central Iowa, 240 people were ona clinical consult waiting list for more than 90 days.But Graham says there are other factors to consider.<09;55-10;02 Gail Graham/Central Iowa VA Health Care System Director "sometimes that information, that care has already been delivered, buwe're waiting for the clinicaldocumentation to come into us.">That's why she says they are nowsorting through those numbers toprovide to Senator Grassley.<12;34-43 GailGraham/Central Iowa VA Health Care System Director "we will not stop working with him until we get exactly what they want and give them the assurances, too, that we are doingeverything possible for veterans."> And despite any waittimes, she assures -- veteranswith urgent needs -- are always taken care of right away. <06;59-07;07 Gail Graham/Central Iowa VA Health Care System Director "I cannotafford to lose their trust, and we certainly want to work withthem, the veterans and thefamilies, to get them timelyhealth care.">