Inspector General says VA probe has expanded to 26 facilities

The controversy centers on new allegations of treatment delays at centers for veterans and suggestions that officials falsified records of waiting times.

The Associated Press: VA Investigations Now Involve 26 Facilities, Says Inspector General
A spokeswoman for the IG's office said 26 facilities were being investigated nationwide. Acting Inspector General Richard Griffin told a Senate committee last week that at least 10 new allegations about manipulated waiting times and other problems had surfaced since reports of problems at the Phoenix VA hospital came to light last month (Daly, 5/21).

Fox News: VA Investigation Expands As House Prepares Bill To Speed Firings
The Department of Veterans Affairs Inspector General's Office said late Tuesday that 26 facilities were being investigated nationwide over allegations of manipulated waiting times and other issues. The disclosure comes as the House of Representatives prepares to vote Wednesday on a bill that would give VA Secretary Eric Shinseki greater authority to fire or demote senior executives.  Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Fla., chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, sponsored the measure, saying VA officials who have presided over mismanagement or negligence are more likely to receive bonuses or glowing performance reviews than any sort of punishment (5/21).

The Associated Press: Obama Aide Tasked With VA Review Going To Phoenix
President Barack Obama's choice to help carry out reforms at the Veterans Affairs Department will travel to Phoenix this week to meet with staff at the local VA office as pressure mounts in Washington for an overhaul of the beleaguered agency (Skoloff and Daly, 5/20). 

NPR: Tell Me More: Waiting At VA Hospitals: A Matter Of Life And Death
The Department of Veterans Affairs is under scrutiny after reports say it makes patients wait too long to see doctors. NPR correspondent Quil Lawrence discusses what happened and the possible fallout (5/20).