local
ER doctors told veteran he needed to be seen in 24 hours. It took the VA 13 weeks
By Justin Gray at WSB-TV (ABC) - News
· June 27, 2026
· 2 min read
Channel 2 Action News Investigates is looking into a 13-week wait for an appointment that ER doctors say a veteran needed within 24 hours.For a year, an American Legion service officer has been trying to get the records on how the Atlanta VA is handling community care referrals after disabled vet...
Key takeaway That did not happen,“ Mulligan told Channel 2 Consumer Investigator Justin Gray.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
The 13-week wait for an appointment that ER doctors deemed necessary within 24 hours raises concerns about the Atlanta VA's handling of community care referrals. This incident is particularly troubling given the VA's policy allowing veterans to seek care outside the VA if wait times exceed 20 days. The average wait times at the Cobb VA Clinic, where Mulligan was seeking care, are 15 days for established patients and 69 days for new patients, suggesting a systemic issue. The fact that Mulligan had to pay out of pocket to receive timely care and was eventually diagnosed with prostate cancer highlights the human cost of these delays. As the American Legion service officer delves deeper into the VA's referral process, it will be crucial to examine how many other veterans have faced similar challenges and what steps the Atlanta VA is taking to address these issues and ensure timely access to care for those who have served.
About this story
Original reporting by WSB-TV (ABC) - News . The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSB-TV (ABC) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 27, 2026 ·
Source: WSB-TV (ABC) - News ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Channel 2 Action News Investigates is looking into a 13-week wait for an appointment that ER doctors say a veteran needed within 24 hours.For a year, an American Legion service officer has been trying to get the records on how the Atlanta VA is handling community care referrals after disabled vet...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 27, 2026 by WSB-TV (ABC) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Justin Gray at WSB-TV (ABC) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Atlanta, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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