MARION, IL - Illinois lawmakers will meet with the Veterans health administration secretary Wednesday morning in Washington.  Local lawmakers say the problems found in August should have been fixed two years ago.

Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, had some harsh criticism of VA management.  He says the management team brought in 18 months ago does not appear to have fixed any of the issues that led to the deaths of nine veterans at the Marion VA Medical Center in late 2006 and early 2007.

The Office of the Inspector General visited the Marion VAMC from August 17 to 21, 2009.  Inspectors found several problems with quality management, including three different death totals for April 2009, and doctors performing surgeries they are not allowed to.

Monday, hospital staff announced they have a new acting chief of staff and an interim director.  Warren Hill arrived 18 months ago to fix problems left by the old director, Robert Morrel.  However, Sen. Durbin says VA Secretary Eric Shinseki told him Monday night management changes are a direct result of the Inspector General's Review.

Hill is being transferred to another VA hospital in Wisconsin.  Durbin says he is disgusted that failing VA leadership are not being kicked out of the system altogether.

Sen. Durbin expects immediate changes at the Marion VAMC, and hopes leaders in Washington keep a closer eye on the facility's progress.  The temporary leadership just arrived at the Marion VAMC this week.  The Acting Chief of Staff and Interim Director are expected to be there for a year, when permanent replacements will be hired.