Mast Calls for Leadership Change after Homicide Occurs at West Palm VA Hospital

Representative Brian Mast (R-FL) is looking for accountability for the failures at the West Palm Beach Veterans Affairs (VA) Hospital after a series of terribly unfortunate events occurred there. The Florida congressman is calling for new leadership of the medical center.

This includes a homicide that happened at the hospital, and according to Rep. Mast, a pattern of high infection rates and a lack of preventative care.

In a blog post on his congressional website, Rep. Mast wrote, “Veterans are the backbone of our country. They put their lives on the line in combat for the freedoms that make America the place we love and cherish. I’m committed to ensuring the men and women who put on our nation’s uniform get the care they earned and deserve. Unfortunately, the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center has not met that same standard over the past few years.”

He continued, “From high infection rates to complaints about standard preventative care, the West Palm Beach VA has failed our veterans. This was made crystal clear recently when a homicide took place within the hospital. This sort of unnecessary loss of life is unacceptable, especially in a hospital that should be doing everything possible to help veterans who have committed their lives to protecting our nation.”

Furthermore, Mast suggested that the “status quo is not working” and change in leadership is necessary.

“The West Palm Beach VA hospital needs new leadership to address these issues. We need a change in direction because the current status quo is not working,” said Mast. “That’s why I’m working with Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio to demand answers about the gross mismanagement at the West Palm Beach VA. I will continue to demand accountability where it matters and ensure that we provide the best care the United States government has to provide for those who have given so much for our nation.”

Finally, the Florida congressman sent a letter to the VA Secretary Dennis McDonough asking him to address the concerns of the West Palm Beach VA hospital and urged him to take “immediate action” to hold the managing director of the medical center, Cory Price, accountable.

Congressman Mast represents Florida’s 21^st District.