July 23, 2016 – Granger, Ind. — U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly pressed the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Northern Indiana Health Care System following recent and troubling reports that the VA had mistakenly sent veterans’ personal health information to the wrong veteran. Donnelly sent a letter to Jay Miller, Director of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Northern Indiana Health Care System, asking about the VA’s plans to investigate the wrongful sharing of veterans’ personal information, what immediate steps had been taken to determine the scope of the problem, and for a long-term solution to ensure it never happens again.
Donnelly wrote, in part, in his letter, “Hoosier veterans have the right to expect that their health information is private and appropriately protected by the VA and other health care providers. I expect that there will be a rigorous investigation into this matter to determine the scope of the problem, whether other veterans have been impacted, and why veterans’ medical information was inappropriately shared with other patients.”
A copy of the text of Donnelly’s letter to Mr. Miller is below. See a copy of the letter here.
July 18, 2016
Mr. Jay Miller
Director
VA Northern Indiana Health Care System
Dear Director Miller:
I am writing in regard to this week’s troubling report that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Northern Indiana Health Care System (NIHCS) mistakenly sent patient medical information to the wrong recipient veteran.
According to media reports, a VANIHCS patient received mailed test results for at least two other veterans being treated by the VA. These results included names, addresses, and provider and medical information. This constitutes a serious privacy concern.
Hoosier veterans have the right to expect that their health information is private and appropriately protected by the VA and other health care providers.
I expect that there will be a rigorous investigation into this matter to determine the scope of the problem, whether other veterans have been impacted, and why veterans’ medical information was inappropriately shared with other patients.
Please provide me with your plans for such an investigation, what immediate steps you have taken to address the situation, and your long-term solution to ensure this never happens again.
Thank you for your service and leadership. I look forward to your prompt response.
Sincerely,
Joe Donnelly
U.S. Senator
SOURCE: PoliticalNews.me