Christopher Marcus reported the issues of long wait times and doctors showing up late when he met with VA officials in Nashville.
Late last week, a federal judge ruled a former Health Administrator with Chattanooga’s Veterans Affairs Clinic was wrongfully terminated after he blew the whistle on several issues with clinics in the area.
Christopher Marcus worked for the VA for seven years and noticed several problems with the clinics.
He says Veterans in the Chattanooga area aren't getting the help they need.
"So, it's very personal to me when I can't take care of a Veteran. And when they come to me and say why am I having to wait four hours to see my doctor on a scheduled appointment,” Marcus said.
Marcus reported the issues of long wait times and doctors showing up late when he met with VA officials in Nashville.
"And when you try to fix it, and when you identify those issues, and you try to hold people accountable, and then you end up terminated,” Marcus said.
He describes the Veterans long wait times and lack of care as heartbreaking.
"To know that those are the guys that came back home, and those are the guys that have PTSD and they have all of these issues and those are the guys that are committing suicide in VA parking lots across the county because they can't get the care that they deserve,” Marcus said.
Marcus's superiors allege that he created a hostile work environment on multiple occasions.
However, the judge ruled none of the organizations claims were true, stating "the agency's specification is baseless" and "does not support a misconduct finding at all."
The judge then states the VA "had an institutional motive to retaliate" against Marcus, reversing the VA’s decision, ruling the organization owes him back pay.
"We were changing the culture. We were trying to change the culture to one of service at the Chattanooga VA, so that when somebody calls the VA, they get an answer,” Marcus said.
Marcus says the Chattanooga VA has a lot to offer for our Veterans, but believes those in charge can do more.
"And they need to support the other leaders there that are trying to do the right thing. And if they are not doing the right thing, they are not trying to hold their employees accountable, then they need to fix that,” Marcus said.
Channel 3 is still waiting for comment on the case from Chattanooga’s Veterans Affairs Clinic.
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