San Antonio veterans react to VA allegations

President Barack Obama is responding to the alleged cover-up involving veterans medical care. On Wednesday, he said if there is misconduct found at the VA, it will be punished.

This, after the VA was accused of reporting fraudulent records, including secret lists, that covered up deadly waiting periods for veterans.

Right now, about 8.7 million vets receive care at VA hospitals.

Ed Golden, a World War II and Korean War Veteran, said he was surprised when allegations surfaced about some VA clinics, including some in San Antonio, manipulating scheduling wait times.

"I've been around the VA a lot of years," said Golden. "I thought they were pretty well and in good graces, but when I hear some of the things happening out in Phoenix, sometimes it's hard to believe."

However, some veterans in San Antonio who say they have had the same problem with wait times, took to KSAT's Facebook page to voice their displeasure.

Jose Thames posted, "I waited a week for a scheduler to call me and tell me that the soonest appointment would be over two months away! This is a disgrace. People wonder why ERs are flooded..."

And Thames isn't alone.

According to a survey conducted last year by the Pew Research Center, 59 percent of post-9/11 vets gave the VA a fair or poor rating for meeting their needs.

At least when it comes to the VA in Houston, San Antonio vet Ed Golden said he got the medical care he needed when he needed it.

"I'm well-pleased with it," said Golden. "They operated on me. They took my heart out, put in another and I just keep going. I hit 90 and just keep on rolling."

For a list of recent stories Stephanie Serna has done, click here.

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About the Author:

Stephanie Serna is a weekday anchor on Good Morning San Antonio and GMSA at 9 a.m. She joined the KSAT 12 News team in November 2009 as a general assignments reporter.