Rick Scott: Eric Shinseki's Resignation 'Good First Step'

Gov. Rick Scott weighed in on VA Secretary Eric Shinsekis resignation, calling it a needed action but insisting more was needed to reform the VA system.

The resignation of Eric Shinseki is a good first step in much-needed reform in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Scott said. Over the last several weeks, I have pressed federal VA hospitals to allow access for our state inspectors from the Agency for Health Care Administration to ensure that our nations veterans were getting the treatment they deserve. Our goal is to improve the quality of care for veterans using these hospitals in Florida. In order to accomplish this goal, a big injection of transparency and accountability is needed.

That is why, today, AHCA submitted a FOIA appeal for the records the federal Department of Veterans Affairs has failed to provide by the deadline stated in public records law, Scott added. This action is independent of the lawsuit AHCA is preparing for the right to gain access to the VA hospitals. Todays news is a step forward, but our administration will continue to hold the VA accountable to the veterans they serve.