The U.S. Office of Special Counsel sent a letter President Donald Trump Friday outlining numerous problems with the VA organ transplant system.
Starting in 2016, with the help of a whistleblower, 11Alive Investigator Andy Pierrotti was the first to expose the fact that veterans were often forced to travel thousands of miles for organ transplants instead of getting treatment locally.
Some were also denied transplants when non-VA facilities were willing to perform operations.
In the letter, the U.S. Special Counsel identified similar findings and determined the VA is doing enough to address the problem. The special counsel said the whistleblower “deserves praise for bringing forward the numerous barriers to life-saving organ transplants for veterans.”
If or when the President’s office responds to the letter, we’ll let you know what he says.
CATCH UP: Distance, Delays and Denial:
PART ONE: VA's broken transplant system
PART TWO: VA denies veteran's perfect kidney match
PART THREE: VA defends controversial transplant policies
