BOSTON -- A new report by Northeastern University's Institute on Urban Health Research found African-American veterans say they are being discriminated against in health care.

NewsCenter 5's Rhondella Richardson on Thursday took a close look at how the VA may fall short.

A group of African-American veterans meet once a week in Roxbury to share their experiences. Given their age, health care is a big concern. A common problem: They feel discriminated against in regards to the health care they receive at the VA.

"I had, like, a gut feeling," said Haywood Fennell Sr., head of the Tri-Ad Veterans League.

Fennell said the services within the VA have deteriorated. He said African-American vets are suffering. He also commissioned a report to validate his concerns.

It surveyed 141 African-American veterans in Boston. Forty percent said they experienced discrimination while receiving health care at the VA. They were dissatisfied with their access to medical specialists, the time doctors spent with them and in the confidence of their diagnoses.

"Was it something they said or something they did that you thought was racially insensitive?" Richardson asked.

"After I had my biopsy and I got the results, I said to my doctor when I went back, 'Did you get the results from the biopsy?' He said, 'Oh yes, you have cancer. They will tell you when you get there,'" said Fennell.

"Some feel that they were mistreated, and if they would have gone to a private hospital instead of a VA hospital they would have been better treated," said Ralph Browne Jr., a Korean war veteran.

Professor Joseph Warren of Northeastern University analyzed the study. He wants this report to be a wake-up call.

"A bullet doesn't discriminate. A bomb doesn't discriminate. If they want equal treatment, it's because they put themselves in equal harm's way," said Warren.

Access to health care is a hot button. Veterans are the one population with guaranteed coverage. They're putting a spotlight on this new study, not to bash the system, but to help make it better, according to the veterans.