Posted on Jan 27, 2016
Barry Coates dead; veteran was face of the VA scandal - CNN.com
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Barry Coates, the U.S. veteran who became the human face of the Veterans Affairs scandal over delays in care in 2014, died on Saturday of the cancer that wracked his body after waits for medical care at a VA facility. He was 46.
Coates became a national figure representing delays in medical care at VA hospitals after he was featured prominently in a CNN investigation in January 2014.
The CNN investigation that included Coates was the first national story about delays in care across the country that year. It led to a national controversy resulting in the resignation of VA Secretary Eric Shinseki, and ultimately a law that provided $16 billion to overhaul the Department of Veterans Affairs, passed by Congress and signed by President Obama.
Coates became a national figure representing delays in medical care at VA hospitals after he was featured prominently in a CNN investigation in January 2014.
The CNN investigation that included Coates was the first national story about delays in care across the country that year. It led to a national controversy resulting in the resignation of VA Secretary Eric Shinseki, and ultimately a law that provided $16 billion to overhaul the Department of Veterans Affairs, passed by Congress and signed by President Obama.
Barry Coates dead; veteran was face of the VA scandal - CNN.com
Posted from cnn.comPosted in these groups: 
Fallen Soldiers
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Cancer
What Would You Do
Fallen Soldiers Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Cancer What Would You Do
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 4
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Cant help but feel he was pushed aside by the same government that sent him to fight. Seems like when they have used us up we don't matter to them anymore. Someone should send this story to HRC since she said the VA problem is a made up story from the GOP. This man was NOT a made up story and deserved better from our Government
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Mr. Coates was an honorable man, a proud veteran who served his country well and who ultimately helped hundreds of thousands of veterans receive better care. I am saddened by his death as should all veterans. My sympathies to his family.
Colon cancer is 100% curable if caught early through colonoscopies or other methods. He should not have waited a year before he received his colonoscopy. Perhaps if he had it when he first requested it, he would still be alive today. Colon cancer is personal to me as I lost my wife to complications from colon cancer.
Colon cancer is 100% curable if caught early through colonoscopies or other methods. He should not have waited a year before he received his colonoscopy. Perhaps if he had it when he first requested it, he would still be alive today. Colon cancer is personal to me as I lost my wife to complications from colon cancer.
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I'd like to see personal responses regarding the va choice program. Options, time frames, severity of medical condition. My experience with a surgery which was not life threatening had a 3 month wait through the local va and 4 months through Choice
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
PO3 Andrew Unite I think that would be a good question for the RP Members. Why don't you see if you can run with that as a question?
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