Ellmers responds to Fort Bragg hospital scandal

Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-N.C.) said she would continue to work to improve healthcare for veterans on Wednesday following new reports that substandard care may have led to the deaths of two veterans.

A commander at the Fort Bragg Womack Army Medical Center was fired and three high-ranking deputies were suspended after two veterans in their 20s died unexpectedly within 10 days of seeking emergency care there, the New York Times reports.

“While the details continue to unfold, the initial reports of substandard care and the neglect of our country’s warriors and veterans should shock and outrage not only the Fort Bragg community, but the nation as a whole,” Ellmers said.

News of the alleged issues at Fort Bragg broke on the same day that the Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Inspector General released a report that detailed inappropriate scheduling and record keeping practices throughout the VA system.

“While I appreciate the decision by the Department of Defense to act decisively following their review of glaring problems at Womack Army Medical Center, there remain many serious problems,” Ellmers said. “Over the past month we have uncovered numerous reports of a nationwide failure in regards to the healthcare and support of our veterans and the men and women who fight for our country. This is shameful and must be addressed immediately. I will continue to work with my colleagues in the House to ensure we hold those leaders accountable and do what is necessary to strengthen and improve medical care for our military, our veterans and their families.”

The Womack Army Medical Center performs more than 14,000 inpatient and outpatient procedures annually. The rate of surgical complications there was higher than expected between 2010 and 2013, according to Pentagon data.