American Legion Condemns VA Secretary Alleged Cover-Ups
The House Veterans Affairs Committee voted Thursday to subpoena Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki in the wake of accusations that his department had deadly delays in health care at some of its hospitals.
On "New Day" Wednesday, Daniel Dellinger, the national commander of the American Legion, spoke out to condemn the alleged actions and cover-ups.
"One death is tragic," Dellinger said. "Preventable deaths are just unforgivable. The battlefield is one thing. But when they come home seeking medical care that they have earned, then there's a real problem."
CNN has been investigating this story since last fall uncovering the following shocking allegations:
#1) More than 40 veterans died while waiting to be seen at VA hospitals across the country, including in Arizona, South Carolina, Georgia, and Texas:
#2) An elaborate cover-up scheme at a VA hospital in Phoenix put more than 1,400 veterans on a secret waiting list:
#3) The VA says it somehow cleared 1.5 million backlogged records for patients seeking consults:
Shinseki told the Wall Street Journal on Tuesday that he would not resign, saying "I serve at the pleasure of the president, I signed on to make some changes. I have work to do."
Dellinger believes Shinseki should step down.
"At this point, if this was the military, you would be relieved of duty," he said. "If you were in a private sector you would be fired. We need the VA to be the best it can be for our veterans."
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READ: Lawmakers to subpoena VA secretary Shinseki in veterans health care probe
READ: Phoenix VA officials deny secret wait list; doctors say they're lying
READ: Retired VA doctor: There's a secret wait list in Phoenix
Mother of Slain Student: "There's No Denying the Malice"
It's not easy for Valerie Redus to be in the place where her son Cameron was shot and killed by a University of the Incarnate Word police officer.
Five months ago, the 23-year-old was within walking distance of his own apartment off campus when he was stopped for suspicion of drunk driving.
The situation escalated to the point where Cpl. Christopher Carter used deadly force.
"When we come to San Antonio, we usually pass by the street," Redus said. "And I look, and I think, gosh, it happened right there."
Cameron Redus was shot five times. Notably, at a downward angle through the face, and once through the back.
Cpl. Carter claims Redus became combative, ignoring 56 commands to stop resisting arrest.
An autopsy report indicates Redus was intoxicated, and had a trace of marijuana in his system.
All the more reason his mother doubts her son was that much of a threat.
"I'm really angry," she said. "Those downward angles, they say it all. There's no denying, there's no denying the malice."
The Redus family filed a civil lawsuit against Cpl. Carter and the University of the Incarnate Word for the wrongful death of their son.
It states the officer lacked adequate training and that the area was out of his jurisdiction since the shooting happened off-campus.
The officer remains on leave and the university defended its position, saying in a statement: "Our initial review supports our belief that a court of law is the appropriate venue for experts to testify about the events that ended in the death of Cameron Redus."
Meanwhile, prosecutors are still examining the criminal investigation into the officer's actions.
READ: Catholic college police officer kills student after struggle, university says
Should You Be Taking Deer Antler Supplement to Be Stronger, Healthier?
Could a deer antler velvet supplement improve muscle strength in humans? CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta reports.
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