Feds Probe Whether Northport VA Denied Vet Treatment Before He Killed Himself

A federal review into whether or not Northport Veterans Affairs Medical Center denied a veteran emergency medical services shortly before he killed himself on the campus Sunday, Aug. 21 is underway, VA officials say.

Peter A. Kaisen, 76, of Islip, who was a patient at the VA, shot himself outside a nursing home at around 12:30 p.m. after sources say he was denied emergency medical services, according to the New York Times.

Philip Moschitta, director of the Northport Veterans Affairs Medical Center, said details regarding this death were "misinterpreted by media coverage."

In an Aug. 26 letter to Congressman Lee Zeldin, Moschitta said there was no evidence that Kaisen entered any VA buildings, including the emergency room, or requested assistance from VA staff prior to his death.

Video surveillance shows that Kaisen was in Parking Lot “I” for 12 minutes and didn’t leave the lot during that time, Moschitta wrote. An employee discovered the man’s body lying next to his car in the remote parking lot.

“We also have reviewed our emergency room registration and cannot currently identify any record of him presenting on that day,” he wrote.

A more detailed investigation is underway to see if the man contacted the VA within the last few weeks.

In a statement, Northport VA commented on the claims regarding the hospital denying Kaisen services. The VA said Long Island's Congressional delegation requested a federal review of the matter and Northport VA staff welcomes the investigation. This incident is also under investigation by the FBI because Northport VA is located on federal property.

Read Northport Veterans Affairs Medical Center’s full statement below:

“As of this posting (Aug 28), there has been no evidence to support an assertion made earlier this week by anonymous sources to one news outlet that a Veteran in need of care was turned away by Northport VA Medical Center. Since the posting of that article and other reports, Long Island's Congressional delegation has requested a thorough federal review of the matter and Northport VAMC staff welcome the same. Please know that Northport's doctors, nurses, and all other clinical and administrative employees are dedicated to our patients and encourage and welcome all Veterans who need care. Until the outcome of the investigation into this matter is completed, please withhold judgement. Thank you.”

Patch file photo