U.S. Senators Reach Deal on Veterans' Healthcare

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

U.S. Senators Reach Deal on Veterans' Healthcare

Reuters Health Information, June 06, 2014

Key U.S. senators announced a bipartisan proposal to address a crisis in veterans' healthcare, seeking quick action on a scandal that embarrassed the Obama administration and angered lawmakers who are strong advocates for veterans.

...Sanders said the legislation would allow 26 major medical facility leases in 18 states around the country, and target $500 million in unobligated funds for the hiring of new VA doctors and nurses to help speed up veterans' access to care.

The bill also proposes that veterans who live over 40 miles from a Veterans Affairs medical facility can go outside the VA system to see the doctor of their choice, Sanders said.

This provision would also apply to veterans facing "long wait times" to see a doctor, a written summary of the bill said, but did not define the time period.

The bill would allow the immediate firing of VA executives accountable for the long delays many veterans have faced, but would also allow anyone fired to appeal within seven days. The appeal would then be decided within 21 days, the summary of the bill said....

[MunoRN, RN]

Seems long overdue, but it will be interesting to see how it does in the House.

[toomuchbaloney]

Congress has to wake up and do something. For all of the posturing which pointed fingers at the POTUS and Shinshecki, it was bitterly obvious that the burden of the VA system rests squarely on the shoulders of Congress.

Congress is responsible for VA oversight.

Congress is responsible for VA funding.

Congress is responsible for VA planning.

They are hurrying and being secretive because they don't want to interrupt the outrage they have created and directed away from them.

[toomuchbaloney]

Senate passes bill aimed at fixing veteran healthcare delays | Reuters

The senators who authored the bill emphasized the need for urgency. It was crafted by Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont, and Republican John McCain of Arizona, a state where 40 veterans are said to have died while waiting months for appointments at VA clinics in Phoenix.

"If there is a definition of emergency, I would say that this legislation fits," McCain said. "We've got to get a good bill on the president's desk next week," Sanders said.

[fltopp1]

I understand the issue with the Phoenix VA hiding lists of patients waiting to be seen. My question is how is the VA responsible for the deaths of 40 people? Are there no other hospitals in the area these patients lived? Are people not smart enough if the person is that sick to be seen anywhere else besides the VA? If my family member could not get into the VA to see a doctor, I would either take my family member to the VA Emergency dept., or find a civilian doctor if I thought my family member was that sick. Why is this all being placed on the VA's shoulders? I am a nurse and also a vet and I think people are not taking personal responsibility for their own health/actions. Its not like the VA denied to see people if they showed up in an Emergency room. These people couldnt get an appointment and got so sick they died, I dont see this all being the VA's fault. Am I wrong here?

[CaptKris]

and with this stroke of a pen, doctors and nurses will appear and fix decades worth of bad management and hiring practices.