Health Highlights: July 3, 2014

Health Highlights: July 3, 2014

Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay:

Another VA Official Resigns

The director of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ medical investigation unit has resigned, the VA announced Wednesday.

Dr. John Pierce stepped down days after his department was harshly criticized by the Office of Special Counsel for not doing enough to investigate allegations of poor care within the VA health system, The New York Times reported.

The Office of Special Counsel investigates whistle-blower complaints in the federal government. In response to that criticism, acting VA secretary Sloan Gibson ordered a review of the VA’s office of medical inspector.

Pierce is the fifth senior VA official to leave the department in the past six weeks as the agency has been rocked by allegations of patients facing long wait times for care and attempts to conceal the problem, The Times reported.

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JPMorgan Chase CEO Has Throat Cancer

The CEO of JPMorgan Chase has throat cancer, but plans to remain in his position while undergoing treatment.

In a letter sent to bank executives and employees Tuesday, 58-year-old Jamie Dimon said the cancer is curable and his prognosis is excellent because the disease was found at an early stage, USA Today reported.

“The good news is that the prognosis from my doctors is excellent, the cancer was caught quickly, and my condition is curable,” Dimon said in the letter. “I feel very good now and will let all of you know if my health situation changes.”

Dimon said he will undergo chemotherapy and radiation therapy at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan over the next eight weeks, and plans to stay at the helm of the bank during that time, USA Today reported.