Durbin calls for higher standards at VA hospitals

CHICAGO (CBS) ¯ A strong reaction brought about government action at a series of veterans' hospitals in Illinois.

As CBS 2's Jim Williams reports, Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin is calling for action and has a proposal to improve health care for veterans.

Durbin's legislation is a response to what he calls the "troubling" circumstances at the Marion Veterans Hospital in southern Illinois. Durbin says there were 10 surgical deaths at Marion in six months.

"To lose 10 lives of people who served our country and went to a VA hospital expecting the best care is a tragedy," Durbin said.

One surgeon -- Dr. Jose Mendez -- was operating on patients at the Marion hospital for a year after he gave up his medical license in Massachusetts following a disciplinary investigation there.

"When he agreed not to practice in Massachusetts, a year before he resigned from Marion, that should have waved a red flag to the VA," Durbin said.

Durbin says altogether at least six doctors at Marion have been suspended or had their privileges cut back.

Durbin's legislation would require all doctors seeking jobs at VA hospitals to disclose malpractice payments they've made and hospital disciplinary action against them. Every doctor at a VA hospital would have to be licensed in the state where the hospital is located. And if VA employees know something is wrong at their hospitals, they can come forward without the fear of losing their jobs.

"We promised these veterans we'd stand by them," Durbin said. "That means making certain that the doctors who are at these hospitals are the best."

Durbin, who is sponsoring the legislation with Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, says one way to get better doctors at VA hospitals might be to offer financial relief to young physicians who have staggering tuition debt coming out of medical school.

Durbin plans to introduce the legislation next week.

Source: CBS 2 Chicago