Senators request resignation of VA Mental Health Director

Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Chair Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) and committee member Patty Murray (D-Wash.) on Tuesday called for the resignation of Department of Veterans Affairs Mental Health Director Ira Katz, alleging he withheld important information regarding suicide risk among veterans, the AP/Washington Post reports.

In an e-mail disclosed this week, Katz claims that 12,000 veterans annually attempt suicide while receiving treatment from the department. Katz in the e-mail wrote, "Shh!" adding, "Is this something we should (carefully) address ourselves in some sort of release before someone stumbles on it?" The e-mail was released as part of a lawsuit alleging VA is incapable of providing medical services promised to veterans. Statistics provided earlier this year by VA stated that 790 veterans have attempted suicide while under department care, according to Sen. Tom Harkin's (D-Iowa) office.

Akaka in a letter to VA wrote that veterans and the department itself would "be best served by [Katz's] immediate resignation" and that Katz's handling of the suicide risk information calls into question his "personal conduct and professional judgment." According to Murray, "Katz's irresponsible actions have been a disservice to our veterans, and it is time for him to go." Murray said, "The No. 1 priority of the VA should be caring for our veterans, not covering up the truth." A VA spokesperson declined to comment.

Harkin said, "It is completely outrageous that the federal agency charged with helping veterans would instead cover up the hard truth -- that more and more Americans are coming home after bravely fighting for their country, are suffering from mental illnesses and in the most tragic circumstances, committing suicide." He said, "Anyone at VA who is involved in this cover-up should be removed immediately."

Harkin, Murray and Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) introduced legislation on Tuesday that would require VA to track how many veterans commit suicide every year (Daly, AP/Washington Post, 4/22).