A VA hospital in suburban Chicago with a history of serious hygienic problems has come under fire once again — this time for serving their patients raw and expired food.

The Daily Caller first reported on the culinary derelictions:
Photos acquired exclusively by The Daily Caller show food at the Hines VA Medical Center is often served raw, routinely served after its expired, and the conditions are often unsanitary, including a mouse being found in the kitchen and a hole in the ceiling.
An employee at the Hines VA, who asked to remain anonymous, said these issues have been going on for approximately a year.

As a result of these issues, one Jewish patient was left without food for days because their kosher meals had run out. All this was going on as the hospital’s head of nutrition used her time at the hospital to advance her handbag business and communicate with clients.

This gross negligence emphasizes the need for accountability at the VA. The Department of Veterans Affairs has a systemic culture problem, and the lack of accountability for misconduct such as these incidents in Illinois are partially to blame. The status quo is acceptable and so is mediocrity because employees see no consequences for these behaviors. If Congress and the VA were to attack the culture problem with accountability legislation, the instances of misconduct would be greatly reduced, and employees would perform better at work.

Our veterans deserve the best possible care. Congress should work with the VA Secretary not just to create choice options for veterans, but to clean up the existing VA. A VA staff with more accountability is a staff that performers on a much higher level and contributes to a culture that puts veterans’ care first. Accountability is needed not just to get the bad employees out, but to encourage good employees to continue serving with honor.

The Senate is now considering legislation to bring more accountability to the VA. Click here to tell your Senator to support the VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act!

The post #VAFail – Raw and Expired Food Served at VA Hospital appeared first on Concerned Veterans for America.