After separate meetings this month with new acting director Glenn Costie and UC Health, Rep. Brad Wenstrup says the Cincinnati VA Medical Center could become a national model for public-private partnership, if certain changes are made.
"I came away from my two meetings feeling that we could sit down at some point and work things out between the two and establish parameters and establish a set of rules," according to Wenstrup.
Costie, the former director of the Dayton VA Medical Center, has been on the job just over a month and is trying to sort through allegations of waste and mismanagement. This reportedly includes VA doctors leaving early to do operations at other hospitals. These are allegations made by Dr. Barbara Temeck, who was demoted from her chief of staff position and filed a whistleblower complaint. Her attorney, Ken Hawley, wants answers.
"We have not personally met with Mr. Costie. I've spoken to him by telephone and we've had a few email exchanges."
The Office of Special Counsel is investigating Temeck's complaint.
Moving forward, Wenstrup says UC Health and the VA need to find the right balance to split up services to increase efficiency. The Representative says if changes are made, the VA could become more efficient by finding the right balance of services both inside and outside of VA walls. "If there are lower numbers, but it's 100 yards away that you can get that service at the University of Cincinnati then that can be an arrangement that we make."
Director Costie declined WVXU's request for an interview.
