Getting our Vets the Care they Deserve
Straight Talk with Sam
Dear Friend,
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 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.
Sincerely,
Sam Graves