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Last updated 10:08 am CT February 09, 2010.
Veterans Health Care Quality Improvement Act
Durbin says what happened at the Marion VA is a tragedy. But sometimes the most substantial changes spring from tragedy. And the hopes are that the acceptance of this bill, and its demands on VA officials, might just save lives in the future.
The bill directs all doctors at the VA to reveal all malpractice or civil suits against them and their judgements. In the past that wasn't the case. For example, Doctor Jose Veizaga-Mendez was hired in Marion despite losing his license in Massachusetts because of malpractice claims
"They didn't know the circumstances for the surrender of his licence. He then went to my state of Illinois and was involved in surgeries that took the lives of nine of the veterans. That's the reality."
Doctors would also be required to have board certification in specialties they plan to practice. And have a medical licence in the state where they practice.
"If you're in a VA hospital in Illinois you have to have medical privileges in Illinois. The reason is to make sure there is a disciplinary board who is vetting each one of these doctors."
Durbin says he also suggests in the bill better recruiting practices for new doctors, which would include tuition reimbursement and educational loans.
Finally, the legislation would require appointment of a VA quality assurance officer at the national, regional, and local levels.
Durbin says, when he visited the Marion VA after Mendez had worked there, people told him they wanted to say something about what they were observing, but were too scared to talk.
"The nurses knew it but they were afraid to speak out and that has to change."
Durbin says he hopes what happened at the Marion VA never happens again. And, he hopes, his and Senator Barack Obama's proposed bill will be part of the solution.
By Rachel Gartner
rgartner@wsiltv.com
Now: 1265732954
