VA must improve physician accountability, says Womack

U.S. Rep. Steve Womack (R-AR) this week called on his colleagues in Congress to expand committee review of specific physician-related processes at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

“While I understand this hearing is intended to look broadly at the VA’s credentialing system, I would ask you to pay special attention to the physician reinstatement process. Particularly, the process for determining whether a physician should be returned to a supervisory position,” Rep. Womack testified during an Oct. 16 hearing held by the U.S. House Veterans’ Affairs Committee.

During the oversight hearing, committee members addressed medical credentialing, privileging and reporting issues at VA Medical Centers following testimony they received last month from Rep. Womack, who highlighted the egregious misconduct of a former pathologist at the VA in Fayetteville, Ark., and called for a review of the VA’s subsequent actions to address the situation.

Specifically, former VA pathologist Robert Morris Levy was found to be intoxicated on the job, but he later returned to his supervisory position without proper oversight, allowing him to falsify his work reviews and jeopardizing the health and well-being of U.S. military veterans, according to Rep. Womack’s testimony.

“As I previously stated, I do not understand why, at the very least, an independent review procedure was not put in place to ensure Mr. Levy’s subordinates were able to submit their reviews without interference,” according to Rep. Womack’s submitted testimony. “I think this committee and the VA should look at the procedures for reinstating a physician following a substance abuse issue. Furthermore, I hope you will look at whether or not those physicians should be returned to supervisory positions.”

In addition to Rep. Womack’s testimony, witnesses included representatives from the VA, the Government Accountability Office, and other congressional members.