VA secretary promises to fix doctor certification problem exposed by 2 On Your Side

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald promises action following a 2 On Your Side investigation into V.A. medical centers that provided inaccurate doctor certification information to patients.

2 On Your Side partnered with fellow TEGNA television stations -- including KARE 11 in Minnesota -- to look into the false and misleading certifications that were listed on the V.A.'s "Our Doctors" website.

This past November, we reported how at least 26 doctors at the local V.A. medical center had questionable certifications. In most cases, previous certifications had lapsed, some decades ago.

KARE 11 questioned McDonald about the problem during the secretary's recent visit to St. Paul.

Investigative reporter A.J. Lagoe said to McDonald, "We found across the VA system this information can be inflated, sometimes it’s patently false. Listing board certifications for doctors they’ve never earned, licenses they don’t hold. What is the VA doing to ensure its honestly advertising the qualifications of its doctors?”

McDonald responded, “The most important thing I think, A.J., is to make sure the doctors we have, have their credentials. So we make sure those credentials are correct. I have also looked at that website, and I agree we need to do a better job keeping that website updated. These credentials move around all the time but we’ve got to improve that.”

Some members of Congress, including WNY Representative Chris Collins, have been questioning the V.A. about this very problem.

The V.A.'s Office of Inspector General responded to those lawmakers, saying a "two part review" is now underway that will, among other things, look for "any potential negative impact to patients."

Collins, a Clarence Republican who has long been critical of the administration at the V.A., said in a statement to 2 On Your Side, "I am glad the V.A. OIG (Office of Inspector General) recognizes there might a problem here, and I am looking forward to the results of this investigation.”

Secretary McDonald did not elaborate on what will change, but said, "Very soon you’ll be hearing about an announcement we’re going to make. We’re bringing in someone to help us with communications so we can do a better job.”