VA Inspector General Investigating Hibbing Clinic
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General is investigating allegations of misconduct at a VA clinic in Hibbing.
Last month, Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken and Reps. Tim Walz and Rick Nolan asked the VA's inspector general to look into claims by some ex-employees that they were ordered to backdate appointment records to make waits appear shorter. The practice is known as schedule "scrubbing."
The four Minnesota lawmakers said Wednesday the VA's inspector general has started an investigation. A spokeswoman for the inspector general's office says the announcement of the inquiry was a routine courtesy to the state's congressional delegation.
Cincinnati-based Sterling Medical Associates runs the clinic. Sterling has said the clinic never ordered its employees to backdate appointments.
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