Veterans who need health care services from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) often face long wait times and uncertainty about when they will receive care. A new bipartisan bill introduced in the Senate this week seeks to change that by setting clear and transparent standards for scheduling VA appointments.
The SCHEDULES Act
The bill, called the SCHEDULES Act, is sponsored by Senators Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and Rick Scott (R-FL). It would require the VA to establish a time standard between medical referrals and appointment times at VA hospitals and community care centers. The VA would also have to submit quarterly and annual reports to Congress and the public on how well it meets the time standards and rank VA medical centers based on their performance.
The SCHEDULES Act is intended to hold the VA accountable and improve the quality and timeliness of health care for veterans. According to Senator Ossoff, “Georgia veterans are still having to wait way too long to get health care through the VA. This bipartisan bill will help hold the VA accountable to meet clear and transparent targets for reduced wait times.” Senator Scott, a Navy veteran himself, added, “Our veterans have sacrificed so much for our freedoms, and they should never be forced to play a guessing game of when they will be taken care of.”
The Problem of VA Wait Times
The issue of VA wait times has been a persistent and serious problem for veterans and the VA. In 2014, a scandal erupted when it was revealed that some VA facilities had manipulated data to hide the extent of appointment delays and that some veterans had died while waiting for care. Since then, the VA has implemented reforms and initiatives to improve access and reduce wait times, such as expanding community care options and launching an online appointment tool.
However, many veterans still face long and unpredictable wait times for VA health care services. According to a 2020 report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the average wait time for new patient primary care appointments at VA facilities was 24 days, compared to 20 days for established patients. The report also found that the VA’s data on wait times was unreliable and inconsistent, and that the VA did not have a comprehensive strategy to address the factors that affect wait times, such as staffing shortages, space limitations, and patient preferences.
The Support for the Bill
The SCHEDULES Act has received support from several veterans organizations, such as the Blinded Veterans Association, Paralyzed Veterans of America, the Wounded Warrior Project, and Disabled American Veterans. These groups have expressed their appreciation for the bill’s efforts to increase transparency and accountability within the VA and to ensure that veterans receive timely and quality care.
The bill also has a companion legislation in the House of Representatives, introduced by Congressman Scott Franklin (R-FL), a veteran himself. The bill is expected to gain bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress, as improving veterans’ health care has been a common goal for both parties.
