More Illinois veterans hospitals under scrutiny

CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois members of Congress are increasing their scrutiny of veterans hospitals in the state after an internal review showing several dozen patients waited more than three months for appointments at two facilities.

Letters from Veterans Affairs officials to some U.S. senators — including Sen. Mark Kirk of Illinois and Kansas’ two senators — last week disclosed that problems with delayed care and unauthorized wait lists existed at several facilities throughout the Midwest. Among them were two hospitals serving veterans from southwestern Illinois, in Marion and St. Louis.