May 21 (Bloomberg) — President Barack Obama summoned Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki to the White House today over reports of veterans dying because of delayed medical treatment.

The meeting in the Oval Office means that the president is now taking a personal role as he faces a political backlash from congressional Republicans over reports that hospitals may have altered records to hide treatment delays. Obama will make a statement after the meeting at 10:45 a.m., according to the White House.

A Senate committee is investigating allegations that as many as 40 veterans died while awaiting care at a Phoenix hospital. Today's meeting includes White House Deputy Chief of Staff Rob Nabors, who will be in Phoenix tomorrow to oversee the VA's own review of medical care.

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