VA Employees Probed for Unauthorized Access to High-Profile Medical Records

Folder labeled "PRIVATE" with "PATIENT HEALTH RECORDS" tab.

VA employees face criminal investigation for unauthorized access to medical records of vice presidential nominees JD Vance and Tim Walz.

At a Glance

  • At least a dozen VA employees improperly accessed medical records of VP nominees Vance and Walz
  • Both Vance and Walz are veterans; their campaigns were notified of the breach
  • The Justice Department is investigating potential violations of federal health privacy laws
  • VA Secretary Denis McDonough warned of severe consequences for unauthorized record access

Unauthorized Access Discovered

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is embroiled in a scandal as employees face criminal investigation for improperly accessing the medical records of vice presidential nominees JD Vance and Tim Walz. Both candidates are veterans, with Vance serving four years in the Marine Corps and Walz serving 24 years in the Army National Guard. The breach, involving at least a dozen VA employees, was uncovered during a routine audit and promptly reported to the Justice Department for investigation.

VA press secretary Terrence Hayes addressed the situation, emphasizing the department’s commitment to protecting veterans’ privacy. The accessed records included medical files but did not contain disability or other benefits information, which are subject to stricter security protocols.

Potential Consequences and Motives

The motive behind the unauthorized access remains unclear, though some staffers claimed curiosity about the candidates’ military records, which have been topics of discussion on the campaign trail. VA Secretary Denis McDonough issued a stark warning to employees in August, reminding them of the critical importance of maintaining privacy and the severe consequences of violating these rules.

“Viewing a veteran’s records out of curiosity or concern — or for any purpose that is not directly related to officially assigned duties — is strictly prohibited,” he wrote. “Failure to comply with these requirements may result in disciplinary action, including removal, as well as referral to law enforcement for civil penalties and criminal prosecution.”

The VA Inspector General’s office has provided evidence to federal prosecutors, implicating both a physician and a contractor in the unauthorized access. This development raises serious concerns about the security of veterans’ private information within the VA system.

Broader Implications

This incident is part of a troubling pattern of improper access to sensitive medical and military service information during political campaigns. Previous cases include a Navy sailor’s attempt to access President Joe Biden’s medical records and the improper release of military service records for several Republican candidates in the 2022 congressional elections.

“We take the privacy of the veterans we serve very seriously and have strict policies in place to protect their records,” Hayes stated. “Any attempt to improperly access veteran records by VA personnel is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”

As the investigation unfolds, the VA faces increased scrutiny over its data protection practices. The breach not only compromises the privacy of two high-profile veterans but also raises questions about the security of millions of other veterans’ records within the VA system. The outcome of this investigation may lead to significant changes in how the VA manages and protects sensitive information, potentially affecting veterans nationwide.

Sources:

  1. VA employees improperly viewed health records of both VP candidates
  1. VA employees improperly accessed JD Vance, Tim Walz’s medical records, prompting criminal probe: report
  1. VA staff got into Vance, Walz medical files, sparking investigation
  1. Federal Authorities Investigating Alleged Unauthorized Access of Vance, Walz VA Records
  1. VA staffers looked at medical records of vice presidential nominees JD Vance, Tim Walz: sources
  1. VA employees improperly accessed medical files of Vance and Walz
  1. Massive breach after a dozen Veterans Affairs staff ‘improperly accessed’ J.D. Vance and Tim Walz’s medical records days before VP debate
  1. Mast demands VA fire staffers over Vance, Walz medical record breach, FBI probe possible foreign interference
  1. Veterans Affairs employees improperly accessed medical records of Vance, Walz, report says