Dr. Natalie Ann Key, MD

Kansas City, Missouri – When Steve Hill complained to his Primary Care Physician she retaliated with a false claim to the Kansas City VA Medical Center Chief of Staff accusing Hill of violent and threatening behavior. July 6th 2017 - Steve Hill arrived at the Belton outpatient VA Clinic for a routine visit with his Primary Care Physician, Doctor Key. At that time Key had only been employed by the VA for about one year. Hill wanted to get her medical opinion concerning a claim he had filed. Doctor Key gave an opinion based on her very limited understanding of his past medical records. Each time he tried to explain previous medical situations related to his claim Doctor Key cut him off. She said her opinion was final. Hill didn’t like her opinion and told her so. She told him, “if you don’t like my opinion I can have you transferred out of the Belton facility”. As he departed the treatment room he said to Key, “the VA has a sh*tty public perception and it’s because of people like… you”. According to the VA Patient Bill of Rights a patient has the right to complain in writing or verbally without the fear of retaliation. Hills’ verbal complaint began Doctor Keys’ assault on his rights. She used her status as a physician calming Hill had displayed violent and threatening behavior. With help from the Chief of Staff at the Kansas City VA Medical Center Doctor Key attempted to have Hill banned from the Belton VA Clinic, forcing him to only be allowed into VA hospitals with armed Federal Police escorts and requiring him to check-in with the Federal Police every time he set foot on VA property. Hill began his defense by assembling documents and evidence to disprove Keys’ false narrative of violent and threatening behavior. He recorded telephone conversations, obtained VA progress notes in Key’s own words establishing there was no violent or threatening behavior. With the help of Congressman Roy Blunt’s office (R-Missouri) the case was presented to the VA’s Disruptive Behavior Committee (DBC). Many veterans are unaware of this somewhat secret VA Board Committee. The DBC is comprised of “so called” VA professionals and has broad sweeping authority. They can decide a veteran’s fate without notifying him/her of a hearing. The Board can judge, sentence and condemn a veteran without one word of testimony from the accused veteran. The DBC in Hill’s opinion is a kangaroo court developed under the Obama administration and the Veterans Administration. Had it not been for United States Senator Blunts’ inquiry, veteran Steve Hill would have been falsely accused and sentenced by the DBC as guilty of violent and threatening behavior. It hasn’t mattered to the DBC that Hills’ VA Patient Bill of Rights were violated (p 4) or that Doctor Key violated Title 38 Code of Federal Regulations 0.735-11 b. No disciplinary action has been taken against Doctor Key nor has anyone from the Kansas City VA Medical Center addressed Hills’ allegation concerning Doctor Keys’ false claim of violent and threatening behavior. No letter of apology has ever been given to Steve Hill. Simply a certified letter from Kathleen R. Fogarty Director of the Kansas City VA Medical Center stating “the committee determined that your behavior did not pose a threat to the safety and well-being of others” but with a caveat - “however, the behavior was deemed unacceptable and inappropriate.” In other words, if you (Steve Hill) complain again “your medical records may be flagged resulting in mandatory police check-in, and/or consideration of access and visitation restriction. You may also be subject to arrest by VA Police and prosecution by U.S. District Federal Court.” Hill says “everyone knows VA medical centers have a piss poor public perception. Why? Well, it’s not because of veterans! It is because of doctors like Key. Some VA Primary Care Physicians are bottom of the barrel doctors. Paid an average of $170K to write prescriptions and consults, clock in, collect a paycheck and do nothing to make the VA a better place for veterans.” Steve Hill is a service connected combat wounded and decorated Vietnam veteran. He received the Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Air Medal with “V” Device (second award) for Valor and Heroism. Hill was the helicopter Crew Chief/Door Gunner for Col. Edward Tolfa Jr., Commander 13th Combat Aviation Battalion in the Republic of Vietnam from October 1970 to October 1971.

Bad experience!

I have been seeing Dr Key for years. She is fabulous.

Dr Key has a very pleasant bedside manner and I feel is easy to talk to. ALTHOUGH..... in the case of being prompt I must say its not good. My last visit I scheduled first thing in the morning (which had been changed to an hour later right before the appointment) when I arrived I waited in the lobby for the normal time but the nurse took me into the room and did the vitals and then waited there for over an hour. When she finally came in there was no mention of her being late or any kind of apology. I wonder if she is aware of her schedule? Perhaps not. I only know that my clients would not tolerate that and I probably wouldn't have a business. This is the kind of stuff that makes me hate going to the doctor! If you are late please don't put me in the room and leave me there!!!

Fantastic doctor.