VA answers questions at WCPO town hall event

As part of WCPO and Scripps Washington Bureau's ongoing joint investigation into allegations of misconduct at the Cincinnati VA, whistleblowers at Cincinnati's VA Medical Center answer veterans and community members' questions at the Sharonville VFW.

34 doctors, nurses at Cincinnati VA alarmed by cost cutting, quality of care
WCPOSince October, a team of Scripps News and WCPO reporters has been talking to a group of 34 current and former Cincinnati VA medical center staff members. They allege a pattern of cost cutting that forced out experienced surgeons, reduced access to care and put patients in harm’s way.

by WCPO Admin 4/13/2016 9:09:30 PM

3rd & 7 37yd

.@DanMonk9 @greenblattmark preparing for tonight's #cincyva town hall meeting at the Sharonville VFW http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cf8-p1nUsAAOY2R.jpg

by Mike Canan via twitter 4/13/2016 9:29:53 PM
Getting ready for tonight's town hall event at the Sharonville VFW. Starts at 7; watch at Wcpo.com http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cf8_riGWcAEb6C-.jpg

by Meghan Wesley via twitter 4/13/2016 9:34:16 PM
People are starting to show up to the VA town hall at the Sharonville VFW @WCPO #CincyVA http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cf9JZRKVIAAIjzW.jpg

by Meghan Wesley via twitter 4/13/2016 10:16:49 PM
Read the @WCPO #cincyva investigation here: shar.es/1jhl6K town hall will be starting in about 40 minutes at Sharolville VFW

by Meghan Wesley via twitter 4/13/2016 10:21:17 PM
FOLLOW LIVE: VA answers questions at WCPO town hall event @WCPO wcpo.com/news/political…

by Meghan Wesley via twitter 4/13/2016 10:52:20 PM
Great to run into a coworker @EvanMillward at the #CincyVA town hall

by Jesse Neack via twitter 4/13/2016 10:55:56 PM
Packed house for #CincyVA Town Hall at Sharonville VFW http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cf9SsuUUYAAoTf1.jpg

by Mike Canan via twitter 4/13/2016 10:57:24 PM
Whistleblowers & new regional director Robert McDivitt (on right) at the ready. #CincyVA @WCPO http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cf9SvrMUUAAx7S0.jpg

by Evan Millward via twitter 4/13/2016 10:57:37 PM
Thanks for being here! twitter.com/jesse_scripps/…

by Evan Millward via twitter 4/13/2016 10:57:45 PM
Just about to start at the Sharonville VFW @WCPO #cincyva Wcpo.com/live http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cf9TDAjUEAAw03p.jpg

by Meghan Wesley via twitter 4/13/2016 10:58:55 PM
Our panel for #cincyva Town Hall http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cf9TPNVUYAEqN5H.jpg

by Mike Canan via twitter 4/13/2016 10:59:47 PM
SRO and then some to hear about issues at #CincyVA twitter.com/melissemarks/s…

by edbelloh via twitter 4/13/2016 11:04:18 PM
.@DanMonk9 & @greenblattmark speak to a packed crowd with several VA whistleblowers at the @WCPO town hall #cincyva http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cf9UuTvWsAAJ8ss.jpg

by Meghan Wesley via twitter 4/13/2016 11:06:12 PM
"What is the path forward?" @greenblattmark #CincyVA - @WCPO @ScrippsNational reports launched 2 fed investigations

by Evan Millward via twitter 4/13/2016 11:06:18 PM
Whistleblowers and VA leadership join @WCPO and @scrippsnews for town hall. Send questions via #CincyVA http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cf9Uvg8UsAAwVmO.jpg

by Ellen Weiss via twitter 4/13/2016 11:06:19 PM
We are live streaming #CincyVA Town Hall at @WCPO

by Mike Canan via twitter 4/13/2016 11:06:26 PM
Dr. Richard Freiberg: 'Our troubles started 3 years ago and just got worse' at #CincyVA

by WCPO via twitter 4/13/2016 11:06:56 PM
Whistleblower Dr. Richard Freiberg: "Our troubles started 3 years ago and just got worse" #CincyVA @WCPO @ScrippsNational

by Evan Millward via twitter 4/13/2016 11:07:32 PM
Freiburg tells town hall 2 new orthopedic surgeons brought on, but both spine. Not what we need, he says. #CincyVA @WCPO

by Evan Millward via twitter 4/13/2016 11:08:00 PM
Freiberg tells town hall 2 new orthopedic surgeons brought on, but both spine. Not what we need, he says. #CincyVA @WCPO

by Evan Millward via twitter 4/13/2016 11:08:24 PM
Mike Brooks, a VA nurse: 'I haven't seen any true changes in my workspace' #CincyVA

by WCPO via twitter 4/13/2016 11:08:28 PM
Full house standing room only at @WCPO @scrippsnews VA Town Hall Forum #CincyVA

by MelisseMarks via twitter 4/13/2016 11:09:10 PM
Nurse practitioner Susan Ware says still no neurosurgeon at #cincyva and she's still asked to do things she isn't able to do

by Mike Canan via twitter 4/13/2016 11:09:57 PM
Whistleblower Susan Ware: "I get asked to do things I can't do because I don't have a neurosurgeon to collaborate with." #CincyVA @WCPO

by Evan Millward via twitter 4/13/2016 11:10:16 PM
The acting regional director of the VA is here at the Veterans Town Hall, Robert McDivitt. Send your questions for him. #CincyVa

by WCPO via twitter 4/13/2016 11:11:38 PM
Robert McDivitt acting regional director met with whistleblowers Mike Brooks and Susan Ware on his first day

by Mike Canan via twitter 4/13/2016 11:11:59 PM
McDivitt: A number of reviews going in and that's a strength of the VA system

by Mike Canan via twitter 4/13/2016 11:12:28 PM
The acting regional director of the VA is here at the Veterans Town Hall, Robert McDivitt. Send your questions for him. #CincyVa

by WCPO via twitter retweeted by EvanMillward 4/13/2016 11:12:59 PM
McDivitt: The issues being brought up are all being reviewed

by Mike Canan via twitter 4/13/2016 11:13:30 PM
Acting regional director Robert McDivitt has visited #CincyVA 3 times, met w/ our whistleblowers. "Here tonight to listen & to learn." @WCPO

by Evan Millward via twitter 4/13/2016 11:13:30 PM
Acting regional director Robert McDivitt has visited #CincyVA 3 times, met w/ our whistleblowers. "Here tonight to listen & to learn." @WCPO

by Evan Millward via twitter retweeted by Mike_Canan 4/13/2016 11:13:57 PM
Whistleblowers at #CincyVA ignite panel discussion with @WCPO reporters to a packed house @ VFW4369. @concernedvets http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cf9WniMWsAAqpzr.jpg

by Concerned Vets OH via twitter 4/13/2016 11:14:32 PM
#CincyVA town hall hosted by @WCPO http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cf9WsfBWQAAiykt.jpg

by Jesse Neack via twitter 4/13/2016 11:14:53 PM
.@greenblattmark says Dr. Barbara Temeck still works at #CincyVA , making $330K +, asks McDivitt why? He says she has a right to due process.

by Evan Millward via twitter 4/13/2016 11:15:17 PM
McDivitt on Temeck: as a federal employee she has a right to due process

by Mike Canan via twitter 4/13/2016 11:15:25 PM
.@DanMonk9 asks whistleblowers why they came forward. Freiberg: "Engraved on the wall outside is 'You Served Us, Let Us Serve You." #CincyVA

by Evan Millward via twitter 4/13/2016 11:17:01 PM
Why did VA whistleblowers speak up? 'It was my role to speak up for my patients,' says Dr. Freiberg. #CincyVA

by WCPO via twitter 4/13/2016 11:18:05 PM
Why did VA whistleblowers speak up? 'It was my role to speak up for my patients,' says Dr. Freiberg. #CincyVA

by WCPO via twitter retweeted by EvanMillward 4/13/2016 11:18:49 PM
Whistleblowers tell us why they wanted to tell their stories @WCPO #CincyVA Wcpo.com/live http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cf9YEpPUsAADbxR.jpg

by Meghan Wesley via twitter 4/13/2016 11:20:52 PM
Veterans applaud whistleblowers #CincyVA including one who gave a standing ovation

by Mike Canan via twitter 4/13/2016 11:21:15 PM
Susan Ware: "I thought, if I'm retaliated against, I can always get another job. But I can't get another conscience." #CincyVA @WCPO

by Evan Millward via twitter 4/13/2016 11:21:47 PM
Susan Ware: "I thought, if I'm retaliated against, I can always get another job. But I can't get another conscience." #CincyVA @WCPO

by Evan Millward via twitter retweeted by MeghanWesley 4/13/2016 11:21:55 PM
More applause for whistleblowers after Susan Ware says: I could get a new job but not a new conscience #cincyva

by Mike Canan via twitter 4/13/2016 11:22:11 PM
"We're here to listen to voice of the veterans,' regional director Robt. McDivitt says at #CincyVA Town Hall.

by WCPO via twitter 4/13/2016 11:22:53 PM

VA answers questions at WCPO town hall event

As part of WCPO and Scripps Washington Bureau's ongoing joint investigation into allegations of misconduct at the Cincinnati VA, whistleblowers at Cincinnati's VA Medical Center answer veterans and community members' questions at the Sharonville VFW.

34 doctors, nurses at Cincinnati VA alarmed by cost cutting, quality of care