For the second time, Dr. Toby Cosgrove has opted to remain at the Cleveland Clinic rather than lead the troubled Department of Veterans Affairs. He first declined the position in 2014, when the Obama administration approached him after the Phoenix VA Health Care System scandal that led to the resignation of then-Secretary Eric Shinseki.
The VA System faces continued challenges in the wake of the scandal, with poor patient experiences and slow improvements in key areas such as wait times and access to primary care. Despite the slow pace of change, a number of veterans groups favor keeping the current VA Secretary, Robert McDonald, the Military Times reported.
HENRY KOTULA 