Gabbard confronts VA over vet’s care

U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard is calling for an “immediate review” of the care that the Department of Veterans Affairs provided to a 68-year-old Vietnam combat veteran who died of lung cancer Saturday on Hawaii island.

Roy Hall had been receiving care at the Hilo VA clinic, and was diagnosed with cancer in an emergency room visit only about a month before he died, Erika Tsuji, spokeswoman for Gabbard, said Wednesday.

“Roy Hall served in our country’s military in Vietnam, and like all veterans, he was promised quality medical care from exceptional health professionals,” said Gabbard, a Democrat who represents the 2nd Congressional District (rural Oahu, neighbor islands). “I had the privilege of speaking with Mr. Hall just a couple days before his death, and he shared the service-related illnesses, PTSD and nightmares he has struggled with for decades. His wish was that his fellow veterans not endure the hardship and struggle he experienced, especially in the last few months of his life.”

Tsuji said Gabbard’s staff is working with the VA to try to determine what happened in the case. Gabbard is in Washington, D.C., but spoke with Hall by telephone last week, Tsuji said.

Gabbard “has a constituent, they had concerns with the VA care that he received,” Tsuji said. “We’ve heard his side of the story, and we need some confirmation.”

Gabbard’s staff is unable to give out more information about the specifics of Hall’s case, Tsuji said. A spokeswoman for VA Pacific Islands Health Care System did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday.

Gabbard said in a news release that “my heart goes out to Roy’s ohana, especially his wife, Edy. She shared with me deeply disturbing issues regarding the care her husband received — particularly during the last several months of his life and up to the hours before he passed away.”

According to the Gabbard statement, “Roy’s last wish was to share his story with me and so many others in the hopes that it could lead to improved health care for all veterans. He told me to never give up and to continue fighting for our fellow veterans. I will honor Mr. Hall by never giving up and aggressively investigating the issues he and his wife have raised — for them, and for all of our veterans who deserve the highest standard of care.”

Gabbard introduced the Access to Care and Treatment Now for Veterans Act over long wait times at VA facilities. It was not passed.