OPEN LETTER Oliver B. Mitchell III PO Box Long Beach, California 90801 March 17, 2014 CERTIFIED RECEIPT No. Congressman Tim Huelskamp 129 Cannon HOB Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Tim Huelskamp, My name is Oliver B. Mitchell III, I’am a U.S. Veteran and a former U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employee turned whistleblower. Prior to engaging in whistleblowing activity, I served as the Lead Patient Services Assistant in the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center’s Imaging Service, Radiology Section. I’am writing to “request” an opportunity to testify before the House Committee Veterans Affairs about the retaliatory culture of the Veterans Administration and the destruction of veteran’s patient records that occurred at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center. In March 2009, I initially filed several Fraud, Waste and Abuse complaints against management officials at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center. In said complaints I alleged that management officials knowingly, willfully and intentionally destroyed records without any approval from senior management officials. My disclosure regarding the purging of medical appointments by VA officials has received coverage in many area newspapers, including the Washington Examiner. (See enclosed article) To date, the Office of Special Counsel has failed to conduct an investigation into the matter in which I reported in 2009 and again in 2013. I affirm and re-allege the allegations as set forth to be factual and true. My intentions were not to entrap, deceive or exploit anyone. My disclosure was meant to correct the deficiencies within our department and the agency. There are two things at stake here, one being the “integrity” of the agency and the other being the “health and wellbeing” of our veterans. When one of the elements is out of sync then both elements suffer together. My disclosure should be viewed as an opportunity for change and reform, rather than an opportunity to dismiss or punish. As an agency we are tasked with a responsibility like no other. This is our time to reform this agency into a modern, 21st Century healthcare system. It will require the input, work and effort of all those involved. I ’am confident that together our President, this Congress, the Agency, and our Nations Hero’s can come to the table and learn to work together. In closing, I ask that your office please advise me as to whether the House Committee Veterans Affairs will provide me with an opportunity to testify on a matter critical to our nation’s veterans. Again, Congressman Huelskamp I thank you for your support, your efforts and your understanding. Should you have any additional questions, comments or concerns you may reach me at the above address or via email at ----@hotmail or directly at (000) 000-0000. Oliver B. Mitchell III washingtonexaminer/veterans-affairs-purged-thousands-of-medical-tests-to-game-its-backlog-stats/article/2544580
Posted on: Tue, 18 Mar 2014 04:38:06 +0000
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