The Manchester VA Medical Center is under investigation after a scathing report by the Boston Globe's Spotlight team revealed allegations by medical staff of seriously substandard care at the facility. Among the conditions described in the report: an operating room infested with flies, veterans with crippling spinal damage that might have been prevented, and obsolete surgical instruments. We look into what happened, and how these problems fit into a broader picture of trouble with the Veterans Administration.
GUESTS:
- Peter Biello - NHPR's host of All Thing Considered. He has done extensive reporting on veterans' issues.
- Howie Howe - Veterans Service Officer who serves as liaison between the Manchester VA and the State Veterans Advisory Committee. He also coordinates New Hampshire’s Help on the Homefront, a veterans’ advocacy group. He has 20 years of service in the Marines, and is a veteran of the Vietnam War.
- Dave Kenney - Chairman of the NH State Veterans Advisory Committee. He served in the Navy for many years, including as Commander.
- Alfred Montoya - Director of the White River Junction VA. He was appointed as interim director of the Manchester VA after the former director was removed following a Boston Globe report on allegations of substandard care there.
