Opinion

Article's claims about VA don't add up

Posted August 29, 2014 5:01 am

The Aug. 27 newspaper had an article by Associated Press journalist Stephen Ohlemacher about the "shoddy care" by the VA." The article covered various aspects of the inspection of the VA and pointed out the alleged 40 deaths due to delays by the VA were unfounded. However, at the end of the article it stated that of 28 patients who experienced "significant delays in care," six died. Also, of 17 patients "whose care deviated from the expected standard," 14 died.

According to my math, there were 20 deaths. How can the Herald justify a column heading "Report: Shoddy care by VA didn't cause Phoenix deaths"? The article is also misleading because in the first sentence the "journalist" states, "Government investigators found no proof that delays in care caused veterans to die at a Phoenix VA hospital." What is the truth? Can AP be trusted? Who writes the headlines for your articles? Do they read the articles? Many questions!

Fritz Alexander

Prospect Heights

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