Schumer calls on VA to explain use of unproven drug on vets

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By HOPE YEN and MICHAEL BALSAMO

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate’s top Democrat on Sunday called on the Department of Veterans Affairs to explain why it allowed the use of an unproven drug on veterans for the coronavirus, saying patients may have been put at unnecessary risk.

Sen. Charles Schumer of New York said the VA needs to provide Congress more information about a recent bulk order for $208,000 worth of hydroxychloroquine. President Donald Trump has heavily promoted the malaria drug, without evidence, as a treatment for COVID-19.

Schumer’s request comes after a whistleblower complaint filed this past week by former Health and Human Services official Rick Bright alleged that the Trump administration, eager for a quick fix to the onslaught of the coronavirus, wanted to “flood” hot spots in New York and New Jersey with the drug. Major veterans organizations have urged VA to explain under what circumstances VA doctors initiate discussion of hydroxychloroquine with veterans as a treatment option.

“There are concerns that they are using this drug when the medical evidence says it doesn’t help and could hurt,” Schumer said in an interview with The Associated Press.



Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie talks before President Donald Trump arrives to speak about protecting seniors, in the East Room of the White House, Thursday, April 30, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)


Read more: https://apnews.com/a2830445e55c6ea324e9a23e4c38f7c3

[cstanleytech]

1. Double posted :p hehe

[Crowman2009]

2. Reason No. (insert number here), on why you shouldn't enlist.

If you're wounded or sick, you'll become the VA's guinea pig.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

3. Duplicate

[mopinko]

4. we know who america's hitler is. now we need to know who america's mengele is.

[DallasNE]

5. Because Trump Was Allowed To Hollow Out The Government

This consequence was wholly expected. Money=power=corruption=failure.

[SaveOurDemocracy]

6. Using sick Veterans as guinea pigs. Those who allowed this should face court martial.

[McCamy Taylor]

7. The FDA approved it. That puts this on Trump.

[Rebl2]

8. It seems

the VA likes to experiment on veterans. How many of their patients died from using hydroxychloriquin on them.

[Warpy]

9. They're probably still on the study

long after other hospitals pulled the plug because there was no discernible benefit at safe doses and higher doses were killing their patients.