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VA Healthcare System Failing Veterans, Study Says

March 28, 2013

Military veterans experience “excessive wait time” for medical care, leading to higher incidences of preventable hospitalizations and death, according to a scientific research council.

Drawing on the findings of recent government and scholarly studies, a report issued this week by the Institute of Medicine paints a picture of a healthcare system that is understaffed, undertrained, and inaccessible.

For instance, veterans seeking mental-health care at one site had to wait, on average, 86 days to see a psychiatrist, according to the report. And veterans living in rural areas may not have access to any psychiatrists at all, the report said.

The Institute of Medicine’s report comes a couple of weeks after the Government Accountability Office testified that Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees manipulated records to understate the wait times for medical appointments. In once clinic, for example, employees made it appear as though there was no wait time when, in reality, veterans experienced six- to eight-week delays for appointments, the GAO said.

Congress commissioned the study by the Institute of Medicine, which is part of the National Academies. The National Academies is a non-profit organization that often provides advice to Congress on scientific and technical issues.

While the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), the healthcare arm of the VA, requires that veterans seeking mental-health care be able to get a doctor’s appointment within 24 hours, the VHA has no “reliable and accurate method” to make that happen, the report said, citing findings from the VA Office of the Inspector General.

Image from the U.S. Marine Corps.

By: Mia Steinle
Investigator, POGO

Mia Steinle, Investigator Mia Steinle is an investigator for the Project On Government Oversight. Mia's work revolves around the U.S. Nuclear Weapons Complex and energy and natural resource issues.

Topics: Government Accountability

Related Content: Inspector General Oversight, Veterans Affairs

Authors: Mia Steinle

Submitted by Charlie at: August 24, 2013
Worst care around... Real
Submitted by jjames0429 at: July 10, 2013
After requesting copies of my medical records from VA recently, to my surprise, I saw comments regarding my health conditions, to include Chronic Kidney Disease. When I inquired about it I was told it was nothing serious and it has been being monitored since 2009. How can any condition not be disclosed to the veteran patient and given an explanation of what the condition is and what the prognosis and method of treatment should be. I also discovered that DKD can be a significant contributor to heart disease which I was discovered to have in 2011. This to me seems like totally unacceptable treatment of the disease and also the veteran. How do I address this issue with someone other than the doctor who failed to disclose it to me?
Submitted by Gumpchun at: July 7, 2013
There is a lot if disinformation and old rhetoric against the VA floating around here that is false. Let's get this straight: the VA Hospitals are some fo the best in America. People are going by a few anecdotes and the some issues with mental health treatment, a separate issue than general health care, to smears a very good system. I know military doctors who are on waiting lists to get into the VA to practise because it is so good now. 25 years ago, they ran from it. Let's stop the easy bashing and recognize some of the most advanced systems and medicine is being practiced and opractices well in the VA. The Best medical Care in the US. How Veterans Affairs Transformed Itself -- And what it Means for the Rest of Us. http://www.dieteticinternship.va.gov/docs/USBusinessWeek.pdf
Submitted by BelgianwaffleIt at: April 27, 2013
The people most deserving of our populatin and government sre those who have stepped up and filled our Military needs. Some return with limbs and mind intact, but many do not! We owe them the very best care, even if it means a lifetime of repair. Get this going pronto!
Submitted by Linda belgianwaffle at: April 27, 2013
It is well past time to fill the wasted time on obstructionist in Congress, to find an appoint Heads for these agencies.
Submitted by Murf at: April 5, 2013
The problem is the corrupt people in the system who are guaranteed a paycheck no matter how poorly they perform. When a whitty , educated person comes along the lazy employees want to get rid of them. They cannot fire the lazy employees becasue they go to there union or make up false reports. The problem is that supervisors spend more time dealing with discipline and trying to get there employees to work rather than helping vets. And if your a doctor you need to "play ball" or the administration will ruin you. Get more qualified peole for our vets. They are actually paying multiple contract employees from outside agencies to sit around and text on there phones just to represent that they need funding. Its no wonder Vets are upset and the country is broke.
Submitted by ChapsBoy at: March 31, 2013
As a Veteran of the Korean conflict' I can say that at one time the VA health service was the best in the world. This really irritated the Health Care industry and so there political allies cut funding at the same time our Commander-in-Chief cut taxes and then started a war with NO WAY TO PAY FOR IT. This resulted in fewer hospitals and much greater patient load. Poor VA hospital care? Thank the radical right in congress!
Submitted by Rixar13 at: March 30, 2013
We're working on it... smile :-)
Submitted by shamrock450 at: March 30, 2013
I am a 73 year old Vietnam veteran and have been treated at the VAMC Dallas Texas, Marion Illinois, and Evansville, Indiana all told for at least 15 years, for Cardiomyopathy, COPD, Bladder Cancer (surgery),neck and back surgery, Carpal tunnel syndrome, and a Myriad of lesser problems, and I have nothing but raves for the treatment I have gotten from VA. I don't think I would be alive today were it not for the care I've gotten there. I do however know that they are seemingly shortchanged with regards to staffing and the influx of new Veterans. They (we) were created by the Government and it should be duty bound to provide the necessary timely and adequate care for us all. As for myself I can only praise the care I've gotten and in a timely, caring matter. thanks, John Hughes Anna, Texas
Submitted by Skyhawkmaintainer at: March 30, 2013
The Veterans Abyss hired the Veterans Examination Service to handle their backlog. My examination from them consisted of a 20 minute interview with a doctor, which wasn't much of an examination. When they first contacted me, they wanted me to drive across the Big Island for this, but I actually had to opportunity to decline and took the next appointment on my side of the island 2 weeks later. If you miss 2 appointments, that claim is dropped. Their slogan is "We're Veterans, We Understand!" Alright, they survived to be Veterans. I suspect (purely an opinion, which I believe I am entitled) what they understand is the more of us they get denied, the more money they get.
Submitted by Zoe at: March 30, 2013
While I don't disagree with you that the backlog is a problem, you're provided Republicans with "evidence" for their argument that the government can't do anything right, and we need to privatize the VA. Conservatives would like any excuse to marginalize government programs and disband the social safety net.
Submitted by Jan at: March 30, 2013
Yep, this happens to everyone that has to deal with the government. My fiance developed (non-psychological) problems in Iraq, he's unable to work, and has had to wait 4 years for his applications for help to be approved.
Submitted by Shaker47 at: March 30, 2013
The spinless cowards on capital hill should be prosecuted for incompetence and immoral behavior. However, in our society they are reelected and given awards. They are the canaries in our sick society. We need to take care of our volunteers, starting yesterday.
Submitted by PERUCHO at: March 30, 2013
I agree with your evaluation, but the PBS/NEWSHOUR/NYC aired a brilliant expose report yesterday( 3/29), including the interviewing of DOVA Secretary Erin Shinseki who tamely agreed with the point of view that points toward a debacle in the system, but that I have the overwhelming suspicion that he as helpless as the PRO GUN CONTROL ACTIVISTS and THE PARENTS OF THE SHOOTING VICTIMS IN THE GUN CONTROL ISSUE AND THE INJURIES AND DEFEATS INFLICTED ON US BY THE POLITICAL DESICION MAKING ESTABLISHMENT. Dear Mia is THAT BADDDDFD!!??!! ELDER PEDRO PEREZ-ORTIZ
Submitted by bullet bob at: March 30, 2013
i a vietnam vet ,the dam gav has never the va the money it need to run this and we lose a hell lot becuse of this,you be lucky if we see any get past they 65 birthday,i 64,i will but none of vet from vietnam ,we group nobody has every care above and we all dead maybe just a million left
Submitted by WolfBrother at: March 30, 2013
The fix for: The Institute of Medicine’s report comes a couple of weeks after the Government Accountability Office testified that Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees manipulated records to understate the wait times for medical appointments. Is to very publicly fire the first line, second line, and third line supervisors responsible. ONCE managers and supervisors get the idea that "spinning" poor care into good looking reports will cost them their jobs --- it'll stop.
Submitted by dujaa74 at: March 30, 2013
And you don't know the half of it. http://www.change.org/petitions/american-justice-or-fbi-cover-up#

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