Letter to Fernando O. Rivera and Daniel F. Hoffman, Network Director of the VA Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network and Network Director of the Veterans Affairs (VA) Capitol Health Care Network - Requesting Further Information On Regional Facilities
Letter
Dear Mr. Rivera and Mr. Hoffman:
We are deeply concerned about the results of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Access Audit report, which was released on June 9, 2014.
This report shed light on national problems within the VA's scheduling system and identified lengthy wait times for veterans. The Audit specifically collected information on appointment scheduling and average wait times for mental health, primary care and specialty care at each facility examined, for both new and established patients. The report also announced corrective actions being taken by the VA to address these issues, including the ongoing agency-wide "Accelerating Access to Care Initiative."
While the audit visited 731 facilities nationally, we write specifically about the facilities located in Virginia, and those in Washington, D.C. and Martinsburg, WV that service veterans from Virginia. While VAMC Richmond, Virginia Beach Community Based Outpatient Clinic, and VAMC Martinsburg were the only locations in Virginia and surrounding areas identified for further review, we would request more information on all Virginia-related VAMCs. We understand that data collected in the Access Audit may not reflect the current backlog at VAMC facilities, and we ask you provide the most current wait list information. Additionally, as you continue to implement measures to address capacity, we would also request an update on the specific processes that each facility is taking to ensure that the backlog is being addressed.
Each facility faces individual challenges in meeting the needs of Virginia's veterans. As Congress takes action to improve scheduling and increase capacity, it will be important to put this data in context. We ask that you provide the following information:
What is your current backlog?
How are Virginia facilities currently utilizing private providers to assist in veterans care?
What are the specialty areas where VISN 6 has identified a need for additional providers?
What additional staff training may be necessary to ensure that scheduling practices are appropriately followed?
What is the time frame by which you expect to have made contact with all Virginia veterans waiting for health care services at the time of the audit's release?
Approximately how many providers per specialty area do you anticipate needing?
Where will you find capacity to cover the more than 800 New Enrollee Appointment Requests in Richmond, Washington D.C. and West Virginia, and how long it will take to get them scheduled?
How did you establish the metrics used in the Strategic Analytics for Improvement and Learning report?
What steps are being taken at each center to reach the performance metrics set out in the report?
We know you and your staff work every day to ensure that veterans receive the best care possible, and we hope to work with you to provide veterans with care they have earned. Please let us know if we or anyone in our offices can be of assistance, and thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
MARK R. WARNER
United States Senator
TIM KAINE
United States Senator
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