In
2015, the two biggest issues on the VA’s radar were the backlog and the wait
times for appointments. While some progress has been made (the backlog on
initial claims was reduced by more than 400,000—not a small number), overall the
VA has not made as much progress as we would like. Maybe 2016 will be better?
Recently,
VA Secretary Bob McDonald addressed a Senate Veterans Affairs Committee hearing
to reveal a list of goals for 2016 and to provide updates on many of the issues
facing the VA. Some of the goals put forth include expanded healthcare options
outside the VA through the Veterans Choice Program with the intent that, by the
end of 2016, veterans would be able to obtain health care through any provider
they choose and have it covered. In reality, the VA uses several programs to
reimburse veterans for care outside the VA system. These programs would need to
be streamlined and consolidated in order to meet this goal. These actions would
require cooperation and quick action by Congress to be approved, something
unlikely under the best political circumstances, much less in an election year
with a shortened congressional session.
While
the backlog of first-time claims has decreased by more than 400,000, the VA has
seen pending appeals cases grow to more than 400,000 in the past few years. Another
2016 goal put forward would simplify the appeals process by 2021, making it
possible for the VA to resolve 90 percent of appeals cases within one year,
compared to the nearly 3 years currently needed on average to reach a decision.
While this would offer quicker results, veterans might find that their ability
to continually update disability evidence would most likely be limited. Simplifying
the appeals process would also require congressional approval, a slow process
at best.
Despite
programs like the Veterans Choice Card and promises to clear up wait-time
concerns, veterans continue to experience excessive wait times for care, often
resulting in more severe, advanced illnesses or even death. Sadly, Barry
Coates, one of the veterans who testified before Congress about his battle to
receive necessary care from several VA facilities, passed away January 23,
2016. When the scandal about delays at the VA broke 2 years ago, he was asked
to share his story. After waiting more than a year after his initial
appointment to get a colonoscopy, despite repeated requests for the procedure
at multiple VA facilities, the colonoscopy showed that his cancer had advanced
to Stage 4 and that it was only a matter of time before he would succumb to the
disease.
Reports
of delays in providing care continue to come in from around the country, the
most recent of which comes from Colorado Springs, CO. The VA Inspector General
found that 68 percent of 450 reviewed cases at the Colorado Springs VA clinic
waited more than 30 days for care. In addition, phony dates were used in the
scheduling system to make it seem that wait time for the appointments was less
than 30 days. Twenty-eight patient records indicated that they received
same-day appointments when in fact they waited on average 76 days for that
appointment. Representative Doug Lamborn, in a letter to Secretary McDonald,
reported that a veteran was seen at the facility last April and was declared a
suicide risk, but was not referred for treatment. He took his life 6 weeks
later. Unfortunately, there are too many veterans suffering similar fates.
On
the plus side, some of the goals proposed by the Secretary would not require
Congressional approval. These include modernizing the VA hotlines and contact
centers, more employee training, and updating the vets.gov website.
While
there are definitely many negative factors in play, we are hoping that the VA
will be more successful in implementing this year’s goals to provide the
necessary service our veterans deserve. We will continue to monitor the
situation and report on any progress being made.
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