SE North Carolina News

Washington, D.C. — Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) has joined a letter to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Denis McDonough urging his department to quickly correct policies that are making it harder for veterans to receive care.

In 2018, Congress passed the MISSION Act, which increased access to care for veterans by expanding their ability to be seen by healthcare providers in their communities. However, VA leaders have recently been working to limit opportunities for community care for veterans.

The letter was led by Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS), ranking member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, and co-signed by a total of 19 Senators.

Full text of the letter:

"We write to you today to reaffirm veterans’ right to community care and to urge you to quickly correct policy initiatives that are endangering the lives of veterans. Ten years ago, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) suffered through a nationwide access-to-care crisis. Six years ago, the enactment of the MISSION Act expanded the ability of veterans to seek care in the community. For countless veterans, the convenience, accessibility, and control that community care offers is life-saving. In the years since the MISSION Act was enacted, the VA healthcare system has seen significant increases in enrollment, utilization, and reliance, as well as improvements in key measures of quality and veteran trust. However, a recent shift in strategy at VA is jeopardizing these significant gains for our veterans."

"In January, Dr. Shereef Elnahal, Under Secretary for Health, commissioned a panel (“Red Team”) to 'assess the trends and drivers of increasing community care spending.' VA leaders – including yourself – addressed the Red Team and provided it with select data and briefings that contributed to the conclusion that frames community care as 'a potential existential threat' to VA’s direct care system rather than the vital lifeline it is for veterans and for VA. Among the Red Team’s recommendations are suggestions that VA save money by reducing community care referrals for veterans seeking emergency, oncology, and mental health care. Veterans in need of these services are among the most vulnerable and high-risk. It is unconscionable that VA would consider leaving them with fewer options to seek needed care."

"VA claims that the Red Team’s work was independent and that their findings are still under consideration. However, a dramatic increase in reports from veterans and their family members as well as from whistleblowers working in VA medical facilities suggests that VA is already operating in accordance with the Red Team’s recommendations. For example, in one recent case, VA canceled the community care authorization of a veteran who had just two treatments left to complete a course of successful chemotherapy in his hometown. In another case, VA denied a veteran with a recurrence of cancer the opportunity to seek radiation and chemotherapy in the community as he did during his previous cancer battle following surgery that will leave him unable to communicate and without means of transportation to-and-from his VA medical center."

"We are also hearing from several veterans who had been receiving non-narcotic pain relief treatments outside of VA medical facilities who are now having their community care authorizations revoked. This appears to stem from another Red Team recommendation. Many of these veterans who have contacted our offices for help have been offered few alternatives other than VA-provided opioid prescriptions instead of community care options."

"In line with these examples from veterans," continued "VA whistleblowers have disclosed burdensome processes established at VA medical centers aimed at highly scrutinizing community care referrals efforts recapturing this type of service back into internal facilities."

Given recent strategic hiring pauses within VHA coupled alongside active staff reduction goals totaling up towards 10k employees further concerns shared by said whistleblowers arise regarding impacts heightened dependency placed upon internal systems could result both increased wait times coupled along exacerbated workloads being asked undertaken existing staff already facing considerable pressures amidst ongoing operational contexts noted therein"

Independently," highlighted further added "policy goals outlined herein present notable causes concern when considered collectively posing tangible risks not solely pertaining welfare those whom served country additionally affecting morale capabilities overall workforce underpinning crucially essential operations delivering comprehensive continuum services expected demanded public served thereby"

"Alarming volume concerns emerging across stakeholders inclusive frontline personnel underscoring limitations experienced attributed alleged fiscal constraints despite assurances communicated previously suggesting otherwise presents contradiction undermining trust placed expectations upheld through mechanisms ensuring sustainable funding frameworks designed precisely address evolving needs identified therein context ongoing budgetary planning cycles appropriations secured consistently fulfilling mandates stipulated legislative intent pursued behalf nation’s interests ultimately"

Many "veterans expressing willingness bear personal financial burdens securing continuity accessing preferred treatment modalities aligned preferences regardless income status signifies broader systemic implications highlighting criticality adherence foundational principles underpinning MISSION Act safeguarding equitable access preserving integrity commitments made honorably those entrusted service rendered defending freedoms cherished universally amongst citizenry represented proudly throughout republic encompassing entirety thereof” concluding call immediate actions requested affirmatively addressing pertinent issues raised therein context outlined correspondence issued accordingly aforementioned parties respectively.”