We Thank Our Veterans, Now Let’s Improve Their Care
On November 11, South Dakotans across the state once again gathered in auditoriums, gymnasiums, Legion halls and at memorials to recognize the service and sacrifices of our veterans. Since statehood, generations of South Dakotans have answered the call to serve in times of war, peace and uncertainty around the world. With one of the highest rates of military membership per capita in the nation, almost all of us know a loved one who served in the military.
As a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, working with veterans, veteran service organizations and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to make certain the men and women who fought to defend our country receive the care they’ve been promised has been a top priority.
Just before Veterans Day, I joined Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), to introduce bipartisan legislation to help improve staffing at VA health centers. The Veterans Healthcare Staffing Improvement Act would allow veterans to receive health care closer to home by removing bureaucratic barriers for their providers. At many VA health centers around the country, veterans are forced wait weeks – sometimes even months – just to get an appointment. This is unacceptable.
Our bill aims to make it easier for military doctors and other health care professionals to transfer directly into the VA system after serving in the armed forces. It also allows nurse practitioners and physician assistants to provide a wider range of services to help address health provider shortages at VA facilities across the nation. This is a similar strategy being implemented by our state’s private health-care systems and is important for providing greater access to care at one of the many community-based outpatient clinics in our region. The main goal is to get our veterans the health care they deserve in an efficient and effective manner.
I regularly hear from South Dakota veterans about the VA. While I’m pleased to hear that many are satisfied with the care they receive, improvements are still needed. The Veterans Choice Program is a prime example. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is a complex organization challenged by its size, scope of services, unique patient population, congressionally mandated funding and governance.
In 2014, the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act was passed and signed into law in an attempt to get veterans off long waitlists and into their doctor’s office. The law’s intent was to provide better care and greater flexibility, but the VA’s implementation has missed the mark. The primary focus must be to get veterans quality care as soon as possible, avoiding the need to jump through hoops or fill out excessive paperwork. Veterans have enough on their plate and shouldn’t have to worry if they will be able to see a doctor when they are sick. We will continue to work to fix the Choice Act and improve veteran care.
We will continue to work diligently to provide greater access to care closer to home for our veterans, as well as better care throughout the entire VA system. After all, one of the most important things we can do to honor our veterans is to keep the promises which we make to them. They deserve this much from their country.
