Metro

Chuck Schumer worried for military vets in wake of VA scandal

Military veterans in and around New York City have been complaining about delays in seeing their doctors in the wake of the deadly Veterans Affairs health-care scandal, US Sen. Charles Schumer charged Sunday.

The New York Democrat said he’s worried about the 350,000-plus vets who live in New York City and Long Island and “need and deserve better health care.”

Schumer cited last week’s acknowledgment by Acting VA Secretary Sloan Gibson that at least 18 patients died while on a secret “wait list” for appointments at the VA hospital in Phoenix.

Gibson replaced retired Army Gen. Eric Shinseki, who was forced out as VA secretary over the deaths.

“I sincerely hope that the Phoenix VA medical scandal is the worst-case scenario,” Schumer said.

“If New York City and Long Island’s over 350,000 experience even a fraction of those problems, something must be done, and fast.”

Pending Senate legislation would allow for the immediate firing of incompetent VA officials and expedited authority to hire new medical staff.