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VA secretary says he was 'misunderstood' on veteran wait times, Disneyland comparison

By Shawn Price
Veterans Affairs secretary Robert McDonald tried Tuesday clarified comparison of wait times for veterans to receive medical care to waiting in line at Disneyland, a comparison that drew heavy criticism from both parties. However, McDonald, a West Point graduate, stopped short of making an apology. Photo courtesy U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Affairs secretary Robert McDonald tried Tuesday clarified comparison of wait times for veterans to receive medical care to waiting in line at Disneyland, a comparison that drew heavy criticism from both parties. However, McDonald, a West Point graduate, stopped short of making an apology. Photo courtesy U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

WASHINGTON, May 24 (UPI) -- Veteran Affairs Secretary Bob McDonald on Tuesday said he was misunderstood when he compared wait times for veteran's medical care to lines at Disneyland.

McDonald, under heavy criticism from both parties since he made the comparison, stopped short of an outright apology during an interview on MSNBC.

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"If I was misunderstood, if I said the wrong thing, I'm glad that I have the opportunity to correct it," he told MSNBC. "I'm only focused on one thing, and that's better caring for veterans. That's my job, that's why I'm here."

Deputy VA Secretary Sloan Gibson however, did make an apology on behalf of the agency while speaking at a Senate Veterans Affairs hearing on Tuesday.

"Bob and I deeply regret the distraction from the veterans work that's been caused by these remarks, and the perception that was created that veterans' access to care is anything other than our absolute top priority," Gibson said.

As the criticism of McDonald continued, Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., went a step further and called for McDonald's resignation.

"Secretary McDonald's preposterous statement is right out of Never Never Land," Blunt said in a statement, referring to a fantasy location in the book, Peter Pan. "I call on him to resign because it's clear he cannot prioritize getting our veterans the healthcare they deserve and have earned in a timely manner."

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Rep. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., a veteran who lost both legs in Iraq and still receives care at a VA hospital, called McDonald's comparison "unbelievably tone-deaf and hurtful to American heroes desperately in need of care."

Duckworth added McDonald "needs to comprehensively address the VA's systemic problems -- and that means reducing wait times, improving care and increasing patient satisfaction."

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