The stories of veterans waiting for months to receive health care in 2014 shocked the nation. At least 40 veterans died as a result of long wait times and delayed care at the Phoenix Veterans Affairs system. It was later discovered that those long wait times weren’t limited to Phoenix.
Our vets depend on the Veterans Affairs healthcare system to access their medical care. We promised them when they committed to serve that we would take care of them. I believe that we must keep our promise to those who’ve sacrificed for our country.
As a result of the wait time scandal, Congress implemented the Veterans Choice Program. I think it’s a great program because it allows our vets who either have to wait more than 30 days or live more than 40 miles from a VA facility to get care from their non-VA local provider. If you look at a map of North Missouri, you quickly realize that many of our veterans are definitely more than 40 miles from a VA facility.
Unfortunately, some of the folks who work at the VA didn’t get the memo that we are serious about our vets getting the best care in the shortest amount of time. A new report showed that the VA Heartland Network – which oversees veteran’s health care in Missouri, Kansas and Illinois – wasn’t correctly reporting how long patients were waiting to get an appointment. Almost 1000 veterans right here at home were denied care under the Choice program meaning they couldn’t just go somewhere locally; they had to wait until the VA could take them.
This is completely unacceptable and it’s why we implemented the program in the first place!
Last week, I sent a letter to the VA demanding them to immediately fix the problem and update me on the progress they’ve made. I expect the VA will find out why these wait times were improperly reported and remedy the problem.
As your Representative, I will be continue to fight to ensure no one is falling through the cracks. The Veterans Choice program was put in place so our vets can promptly get the care they deserve. It’s time for us to properly serve those who have served us.
5 comments:
I am a veteran and know many veterans who never have to wait to receive exceptional care. I think Graves is blowing it out of his hat so that more vets go to local hospitals and clinics who most likely, for certain, contribute to his campaign. The results of his statements come from where and how large a group is in that assessment. The people over at Mt. Vernon have always been professional, courteous and pleased to take care of all who go there. The tests they run have results in about an hour while my personal physician has to wait 2-3 days for lab results. The exams are thorough and comprehensive and always show concern for all the vets I talk to while over at the clinic. Typically republican smear campaign with no real numbers or fair assessment, he is just pandering for the money charging hospitals and doctors jealous of the care given by the VA.
Graves is one of the best politicians money can buy.
I'm a veteran as well and I don't think the problem exists with the Mt. Vernon staff but has more to do with their lack of resources. I've personally had bad experiences there but I don't believe it's because of the staff. Like 3:04 indicated, the staff is very professional and couldn't be any nicer. It's the limited resources to include staffing. The problem isn't just isolated to Mt. Vernon though. It's all over our nation. People are just trying to do more with less and this is the results.
So, follow the money. Who benefits? Who loses?
Veterans, please share your opinions.
I love the Mt. Vernon VA employees. They have always been on time with my appointments and treat me well. In fact, last week my Dr called me personally and spent 15 discussing my options for a recent MRI. The truth is that Republicans boast of increasing funding for the VA and then saying they waste the money. That is inaccurate. The funding has been far below what has been requested by the VA. We are still below what is needed to treat veterans claims that have resulted from nearly 20 years of war.
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