1 /5 M M: My experience with VA Amarillo has been deeply troubling and profoundly damaging. I have faced multiple unauthorized disclosures of sensitive medical information, including records related to PTSD ***, which are extremely personal and sensitive. These breaches have caused severe emotional distress, significantly worsening my mental health symptoms.
Despite VA employees being required to undergo annual HIPAA training to safeguard veterans’ information, these violations occurred multiple times and were reported directly by me to the Privacy Officer—not by the employees who were aware of these misconduct incidents. One particularly egregious breach involved my sensitive information being shared without any justification. Yet, accountability and proper safeguards remain glaringly absent.
As a disabled veteran, I rely on the VA for care and trust that my personal information will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality and respect. These violations have shattered that trust, leaving me retraumatized, often crying and shaking for hours daily.
I urge VA Amarillo to take immediate action to address these issues, implement stricter privacy protocols, and hold those responsible accountable. No veteran should ever have to endure this level of negligence and gross misconduct. I no longer feel safe at this VA facility and fear additional harm if these issues are not urgently addressed.