The Veterans Affairs scandal reflects the tangled web of accountability in U.S. government

This month has seen an unfolding scandal over ‘secret’ Veterans Affairs lists for veterans waiting to see doctors, and now many Republicans and Democrats are calling for the resignation of Secretary Eric Shinseki. Barbara Romzek writes that the scandal stems from the burdens placed on Veterans Affairs employees who gamed the waiting list system in order to please their own bosses. She argues that the scandal reflects the tangled web of accountability placed on Veterans Administration at the same time as it has experienced a massive increase in demand for healthcare from veterans. While firing Shinseki and others may give the perception of ‘doing something’, she writes, it will do little to solve the underlying problems.