{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=E894DB7F-C064-4264-B2A4-E4EB411DC36F", "Iowa Senators Seek Answers on Iowa City VA Hiring Practices", "2017-12-04", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Joni Ernst", "E000295", "www.ernst.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Iowa Senators Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) expressing concern and seeking information over a disturbing report that shines a light on hiring practices at VA hospitals, including the Iowa City VA.\r\nThe senators wrote, \u201cIt should go without saying that physicians hired by the VA should be fit to practice and have a track record of providing quality care. However, a disturbing report in USA Today found that the VA has knowingly hired providers who have a history of providing substandard care.\r\n\u201cA neurosurgeon featured in the article had \u2018a dozen malpractice claims and settlements in two states\u2019 and had his license revoked in one state, yet he was hired to work at the Iowa City VA this April.\u201d The Iowa senators noted that this hiring goes against the Veterans Health Administration Handbook.\r\nThe report specifically cites an Iowa City VA neurosurgeon who was hired even though \u201clicensure revocation and other malpractice claims were on his application,\u201d all of which should have prevented him from being lawfully employed by the VA in the first place.\r\nSenators Ernst and Grassley are now seeking answers from the VA as to how this individual was hired, and the actions the VA will take if they determine other providers were hired illegally. Additionally, the Senators requested insight into the VA\u2019s hiring practices to better ensure that Iowa\u2019s veterans receive the care they deserve.\r\nThe full text of the letter is available here and below.\r\n\r\nDecember 4, 2017\r\n\u00a0\r\nThe Honorable David Shulkin\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \r\nSecretary\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \r\nU.S. Department of Veterans Affairs \r\nWashington DC 20420\r\n\u00a0\r\nDear Secretary Shulkin: \r\nVeterans who receive care through the VA deserve the highest standard of care available. This high standard applies throughout an entire episode of care, but is most critical when a veteran sees their physicians. It should go without saying that physicians hired by the VA should be fit to practice and have a track record of providing quality care. However, a disturbing report in USA Today found that the VA has knowingly hired providers who have a history of providing substandard care. \r\nA neurosurgeon featured in the article had \u201ca dozen malpractice claims and settlements in two states\u201d and had his license revoked in one state, yet he was hired to work at the Iowa City VA this April. His hiring goes against Veterans Health Administration Handbook 1100.19 which states:\r\n\u201cApplicants\u2026who had such license, registration, or certification revoked for professional misconduct, professional incompetence, or substandard care by any of those States, or voluntarily relinquished a license, registration or certification in any of those States after being notified in writing by that State of potential termination for professional misconduct, professional incompetence, or substandard care, are not eligible for appointment.\u201d\r\nAccording to the report, the neurosurgeon\u2019s licensure revocation and other malpractice claims were on his application. It is unacceptable that it was only as a result of USA Today\u2019s report that the VA determined that hiring this neurosurgeon was illegal. \r\nAccordingly please provide the following:\r\n1)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Please describe the \u201cincorrect\u201d guidance that was given to hospital officials in Iowa City that led to the hiring of the neurosurgeon. \r\n2)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 On his application the neurosurgeon listed the previous malpractice suits and the revocation of his medical license. As part of his contract with the VA, was the neurosurgeon required to be monitored while providing care? \r\n3)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The VA is initiating an \u201cindependent, third-party clinical review\u201d of the care the neurosurgeon provided. Will the results of the third-party review be shared with the patients and their families?\r\n4)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What steps is the VA taking to determine how many providers at the Iowa City VA were hired illegally and what actions will the VA take if they determine that additional providers were hired illegally?\r\n5)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What discretion do VA hospital officials have in regard to hiring providers who have not had their licenses revoked but have had problems with their State Licensing boards?\r\nThank you for your attention. Please respond by December 11, 2017.\r\n\u00a0\r\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=E894DB7F-C064-4264-B2A4-E4EB411DC36F"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.8502649143338203, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}