Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald did not apologize for saying veterans waiting for medical care should be viewed the same way as those waiting in line for a ride at Disneyland on Monday.
McDonald, the former chief executive of Procter & Gamble, said Disney does not track how long visitors wait in line to determine the satisfaction of the overall experience, so the VA should not be held to the same standard in regard to wait times for veterans, The Washington Post reported.
“When you go to Disney, do they measure the number of hours you wait in line? Or what’s important,” McDonald said. “What’s important is, what’s your satisfaction with the experience?”
When MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell interviewed McDonald Tuesday, she asked him if he understands why some may be offended by his comparison.
“Andrea, I’m a veteran," McDonald said. "I have put my life in danger for this country. I have served with those who have put their own lives in danger. I came out of retirement to do this job because I care so deeply about those men and women who serve our country.”
Mitchell asked him if he is sorry for what he said, and he responded saying:
“Look, as I said, I’m here to improve the veteran experience...you know, wait times are important, but they’re not the only measure of veteran experience," he said. "And that’s what veterans are telling us...It’s important and if I was misunderstood or if I said the wrong thing, I’m glad that I have the opportunity to correct it.”
Howard Daugherty, executive director of Clermont County Veterans' Service Commission, said McDonald's comparison was uncalled for.
"Mr. McDonald was way out of line saying comparing it to Disneyland," Daughtery said. "It would be like us comparing it to Kings Island. To me it's no different. You're waiting in line."
He believes McDonald should apologize to veterans.
"I think he put his foot in his mouth to be honest," Daughtery said. "He didn't really think what he should have said and you should put more thought into what you say because the VA is a touchy subject."
Mick Beale, a Mason, Ohio resident and an army veteran, agrees that McDonald's comment was offensive.
"To compare the wait lines at the VA with that of Disney is incredible to me that anybody could say those words," Beale said.
House Speaker Paul Ryan and others leaders denounced his comments, saying that his comparison is insensitive to veterans, according to The Washington Post.
In an MSNBC video, Ryan said he was "dumbfounded" by McDonald's statement.
“When the VA secretary compared lines at his agency to lines at an amusement park, we were dumbfounded,” Ryan said. “This is not make believe. This is not Disneyland or wonderland for that matter. Veterans have died waiting in line for their care. Clearly the secretary’s comments are not worthy of the veterans that he serves.”
There's no Fast Pass at the #VA. #Veterans seeking medical attention don't have that luxury. https://t.co/SmvIKqxGKW
— Paul Ryan (@SpeakerRyan) May 23, 2016
Because veterans aren't waiting for health care at Space Mountain. https://t.co/g2ozycmTxK
— Justin Amash (@justinamash) May 23, 2016
Really?! Vets have died waiting for care at the VA. He should apologize. https://t.co/Gs8ExmVed3
— Rep. Greg Walden (@repgregwalden) May 23, 2016
The VA sent out a statement late Monday in response to the backlash:
“We know that Veterans are still waiting too long for care,” it said. “In our effort to determine how we can better meet Veterans’ needs, knowing that their satisfaction is our most important measure, we have heard them tell us that wait times alone are not the only indication of their experience with VA…”
They did not specifically mention Disney, but said VA “has been working with private sector companies known for providing positive experiences to their customers to understand how we can provide better service to the Veterans we serve.”
In 2014, a scandal erupted over VA employees at hospitals across the country putting appointment dates into the system that were earlier than the real times to cover up the long waits. Former VA SecretaryEric Shinseki resigned as a result.
WCPO published an investigation into poor care at Cincinnati's VA Medical Center in February after nearly three dozen whistleblowers came forward saying the region's center was in a state of disorder.
