https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWogVroFGgE
(Above: Richard Tremaine and Rep. Martha Roby interact in a House Veterans Affairs Committee hearing)
WASHINGTON — Richard Tremaine, associate director of the Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System, testified before the House Veterans Affairs Committee Monday about his treatment as a whistleblower in the scandal that rocked the VA last year. Congresswoman Martha Roby (R-AL2) attended the hearing, expressing her frustration with the VA leadership in DC’s unwillingness to take bold steps to address the problems facing veterans in the VA system.
“I am here with you today to testify about the unacceptable, vicious and ongoing retaliation against Dr. Sheila Meuse and myself for our whistleblower activity at the Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System (CAVHCS),” Tremaine began.
He detailed the process he went through to alert the CAVHCS’s former senior executive James Talton, and the retaliation he and Dr. Meuse received because of their efforts.
“I speak with you today, with a heavy heart,” Tremaine said. “Disgusted by continued cover-ups, a discrediting campaign through open-ended investigations, and the attempted destruction of my career, by the very VA I have always loved being part of.
“So many VA employees are closely monitoring this issue, and hoping VA leadership at all levels will demonstrate a commitment to true excellence and transparency, by creating an environment free from Whistle Blower Reprisal and Retaliation.
“If the retaliatory actions from CAVHCS and VISN 7 against a dedicated veteran executive and brilliant career woman executive, both who have committed their lives to serving our Veterans, is tolerated in the least, it will most certainly have a chilling effect on any others considering stepping forward to protect the organization we all love serving Veterans through.”
Just last week, it was reported that veterans seeking health care at CAVHS still face some of the longest wait times in the nation.
Congresswoman Martha Roby (R-AL2), who represents the district where CAVHCS operates, was able to sit in on the hearing, and give further context to Mr. Tremaine’s remarks.
“Two observations,” Rep. Roby began, “One, two huge understatements. First to say that these people are coming forward shows that there are issues that still need some attention, as well as this saying that we hear over and over again that you can’t change a culture overnight. Well, it’s been a year. It’s been almost a year since Mr. Tremaine and I had our first conversation, so we’re kind of tired of hearing ‘you can’t change this culture overnight.’ It hasn’t been overnight, it’s been a year.”
Roby thanked Mr. Tremaine and Dr. Meuse for stepping forward when no one else had, and revealing the “horrible circumstances in Montgomery and Tuskegee.”
“There’s a new scam now,” Rep. Roby revealed, “It’s ‘let’s schedule the appointment within the time frame required, but we’ll cancel it 30 minutes before the appointment and reschedule it’ so that on the books, once again, it looks like the VA is doing what they’re supposed to do.’
After the hearing, Rep. Roby told Yellowhammer that she is growing impatient with the absence of VA leadership during the last year since the scandal was uncovered by Mr. Tremaine and Dr. Meuse
“We got Washington’s attention last year,” Roby articulated. “The missing X-Rays, the manipulated patient records, the employee who took a recovering veteran to a crack house, all the cover ups: when all this got exposed we finally got it through to Washington how bad the situation was in Central Alabama. A lot of nice promises were made in terms of the national VA’s commitment to reform Central Alabama, but it simply hasn’t happened.”
“I have repeatedly asked the VA leadership here in Washington take charge of the situation in Central Alabama, and I am tired of asking nicely.”
Don’t miss out! Subscribe today to have Alabama’s leading headlines delivered to your inbox.