Congressman Crow Statement on the Office of Inspector General’s Reports on Culture Issues, Barriers to Care at the Rocky Mountain Regional VA

AURORA — Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06), Army veteran, released this statement following the release of the Office of the Inspector General’s (OIG) reports revealing multiple leadership failures at the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center (RMVA), including an 11-month pause on cardiac surgeries and pervasive staff culture and morale issues.

Today’s report follows Congressman Crow’s ongoing oversight of the state’s largest VA hospital located in Colorado’s 6th over the last year. In December, Crow sent a letter to VA Under Secretary for Health Dr. Shereef Elnahal to address concerning reports of canceled prosthetics orders and staff morale issues. In March, Crow led a bipartisan Colorado delegation letter to Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough to address reports of mismanagement and toxic staff culture at the VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System (VA ECHCS). Also in March, Crow welcomed Under Secretary Elnahal to the RMVA for an oversight visit and VA employee town hall. 

In a statement, Congressman Crow said: 

“I’m deeply concerned by the OIG’s report on pervasive staff culture issues and barriers to accessing medical care at the Rocky Mountain VA. 

“Veterans take an oath to serve and are promised quality care when they return home. This report shows that not only was there an almost year-long cardiac surgery pause and subsequent failure in oversight, but widespread staff morale issues. 

“I appreciate the OIG’s thorough investigation and will continue to push the VA to make all necessary changes to ensure veterans receive the quality care they deserve.”