Acting Veterans Affairs Secretary Sloan Gibson said that 100,000 veterans nationwide were kept off waiting lists for appointments to see a physician. He also noted that 18 veterans in Arizona died waiting for an appointment, although it's not certain that the delayed care was to blame for their deaths. USA Today: Gibson said he had details on 14 of the deaths and it appeared most had contacted the VA for "end of life care." "None of that excuses us," said Gibson. "These lists were not being worked — inexcusable." STORY: Senators reach bipartisan deal on VA health care STORY: VA investigators: Delayed care is everywhere Gibson said if any of the 18 deaths is found to have been tied to delays or bogus wait-time stats that the agency will disclose that and discipline the responsible employees. Gibson emphasized the embattled agency is working to mend the "massive erosion of trust" among veterans due to the failures...(Read Full Post)