VA Secretary Says Wait Times Are Growing Despite Increase in Staff

They also point to a larger fight between Republicans and Democrats over VA reform efforts, and how each side is labeling moves to expand health care offerings for veterans in the private sector, but still at government expense.

The Rural Veterans Improvement Act takes a four-pronged approach to improving health care for rural veterans.

When investigations at the Department of Veterans Affairs in 2014 revealed that the health care needs of veterans were not being met in a timely manner, the wheels were set in motion to make changes that would clear the long lists of veterans waiting to see a doctor and make things right for those who have served our country in uniform.

This work won’t always be easy, but I am confident that with the support of the doctors, nurses, community hospitals and our dedicated employees, many of whom are veterans themselves, we will continue to make progress in effectively supporting VA in ensuring that our nation’s veterans get the care they need.

The legislation was introduced in the Senate Tuesday and will be read to the House next week. “Long wait times put our veterans” health in jeopardy and are simply unacceptable.

In August 2014, Congress passed the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act, commonly referred to as the “Choice Act”. We are ready to assist veterans of all eras through coordination of care and specialized services and personnel. The bill will address this problem by going beyond the Veterans Choice Act to make fee-for-service care available when treatment at a local clinic isn’t an option, or when treatment options such as complementary or alternative medicine – including traditional Native American healing methods – are not available at a VA facility. “This bill will help the VA tap that resource, cutting red tape, hiring the trained medical professionals it desperately needs, and reducing wait times for our veterans at home”. Thank you for your dedicated service to our country. It’s time that Washington delivers on its promises to provide these selfless men and women the support they were promised, earned and deserve. VA doctors report that his can take from six weeks to three months. This program selected five hospitals in rural areas across the Country, including a location in Caribou, to enter into contracts with the VA so that our Veterans could receive health care closer to home. In a unified health care system like the VA, it needlessly limits the VA’s flexibility to have medical professionals provide services where they are most needed.

Advanced Practice Registered Nurses-nurses with post-graduate education in nursing-have advanced skills in either a specialist field or a generalist capacity, and are qualified for an advanced scope of practice.