As more information surfaces, the severe mismanagement and “lack of integrity” within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health system has grown increasingly clear. A nationwide audit of access and wait times at 731 VA facilities was released just days ago. The results were highly alarming and only added to my serious concerns about veterans’ access to medical care. The audit found that more than 57,000 veterans have waited at least 90 days for their first appointment at a VA facility. Another 64,000 veteran patients have enrolled in the health system over the last 10 years and have not been seen for an appointment. In light of these disturbing findings, 112 facilities are now under additional review.
America’s veterans deserve care in a timely manner. In order to help speed up access to care, I voted in support of the Veterans’ Access to Care Act (H.R. 4810), which passed the House of Representatives by a unanimous vote this week. This bill would allow veterans who live over 40 miles from a VA facility, or have been waiting beyond the targeted wait time, to access care from other health care providers for the next two years while service issues are corrected. It would also prevent bonuses for VA employees and require an independent review of medical services. The Veterans’ Access to Care Act, along with legislation approved by the House last month to give the Secretary of Veterans Affairs more authority to fire senior employees who have failed to serve patients, is part of the House’s commitment to ensuring the veterans enrolled in the VA system receive the best care available.
On Wednesday, the U.S. Senate passed similar legislation to allow veterans to receive private treatment. It is my hope that the House and Senate will be able to resolve any differences between the bills to get this legislation to the President’s desk as quickly as possible. At a House Judiciary Committee hearing on the same day, FBI Director James Comey testified that his agency has opened an investigation into possible criminal wrongdoing at the VA. I will closely monitor the progress of the investigation. If you or a veteran in your family has been affected by these delays, I encourage you to share your story by contacting one of my offices or through my website at Goodlatte.House.Gov.
Former VA Secretary Eric Shinseki’s recent resignation is only part of the solution to the problems within the VA system. It is critical that the responsible officials and employees be held accountable. The delays in service faced by our veterans must be addressed immediately in order to correct the problem and ensure quality, timely service for those who have courageously served the cause of freedom. Nothing less will be acceptable.
– Congressman Bob Goodlatte
