DENVER (AP) β Government investigators say they're looking into an allegation that U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs employees in Colorado used unofficial wait lists that could conceal how long veterans wait for health care.
The VA's internal watchdog announced an audit Wednesday in a letter to Republican Sens. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin and Cory Gardner of Colorado. The Associated Press obtained a copy of the letter.
Johnson and Gardner asked for the inquiry after a whistleblower told them about the alleged lists.
The inquiry could broaden a nationwide scandal over the use of unofficial or secret lists to hide lengthy delays in care for veterans. Forty veterans died while waiting for care at a Phoenix VA hospital.
The scandal led Congress to allow veterans to seek private care at government expense if they've waited 30 days.
