5 VA patients with HIV and over 30 VA patients with Hepatitis so far. It is unclear how many of these patients contracted their diseases from unsanitary practices at the VA, but they were treated at the VA during a time period of inadequate sterilization practices.
Could something like this happen in private practice? Sure. But the recourse for restitution is more clear as the victimizers are well-defined and liable. Who will be held accountable for the widespread VA slip-ups? Just look at the accountability of prison guards and torturers over the last 8 years for that answer. Who will pay if lawsuits move forward? Taxpayers.
But the victims should be happy that they will continue to get treatment at the VA for their infections.
12:41 pm on May 3, 2009