Investigation Underway After VA Employees Access Medical Records of Key Political Figures

Employees at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) have been found to have improperly accessed the medical files of Ohio Senator JD Vance and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, both of whom are the major party vice presidential nominees. An investigation is currently underway to determine the extent of the breach.

Sources familiar with the situation confirmed that VA employees accessed Vance’s medical records without authorization. Approximately two months ago, an employee from the office of VA Inspector General Michael Missal contacted someone in Vance’s team to alert them about the breach. Additionally, a spokesperson for the Harris campaign revealed that it was informed about the unauthorized access to Walz’s medical records but declined to provide further details, citing the ongoing investigation.

The Washington Post first reported that at least a dozen VA employees were involved in accessing these records. Terrence Hayes, a spokesperson for the VA, confirmed to CNN that the department had reported allegations of improper access to veteran records to law enforcement but did not provide additional details. The VA referred further inquiries to the Justice Department, which declined to comment.

In response to the incident, the VA emphasized its commitment to protecting privacy in a message sent to employees last month. The department reiterated that viewing a veteran’s medical records out of curiosity or for any reason unrelated to officially authorized duties is strictly prohibited.

Senator Vance, a veteran himself, enlisted in the Marine Corps after high school and served as a combat correspondent during a tour in Iraq in 2005. Governor Walz also has military experience, having enlisted at 17 and serving 24 years in the National Guard before retiring in 2005 to pursue a political career.

This incident raises serious concerns about the handling of sensitive medical information within the VA and highlights the need for robust safeguards to protect the privacy of veterans and public figures. As the investigation unfolds, questions remain regarding the policies and procedures in place to prevent such breaches in the future.