In 1999, Terry Everett, R-Alabama, chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations told a congressional panel that “there is without question a good-old-boy network within the VA” that tolerates “favoritism, cronyism, harassment, and reprisal.” He indicated that retaliation against VA whistleblowers was common and goes unpunished.

Over 50 public interest groups, and whistleblowers from across the United States, are planning the first-ever “Whistleblower Week in Washington (WWW),” scheduled for May 13-19, 2007 in Washington DC. Scheduled events will include press conferences on major whistleblower issues, seminars and panels attended by leading whistleblowers and Congressional-related events. Most events will be open to the press.

Physicians who try to diminish patient risk and improve patient care and safety are often targeted for retaliation. The integrity of the House of Medicine is thus at risk, as is health care itself.

Testimony Before the US Small Business Administration Regulatory Fairness Forum for Small Business, Glendale, CA,