September 25, 2007
Brown-Waite calls for better use of best practices to enhance VA polytrauma care
For more information, contact: Brian Lawrence, (202) 225-3527
Washington, D.C. — The Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held an oversight hearing today entitled, “VA’s Polytrauma Rehabilitation Centers: Quest for Excellence.” The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) polytrauma rehabilitation centers (PRCs) provide specialized care to veterans and returning servicemembers with life-threatening injuries to more than one physical region or organ system.
The subcommittee’s ranking member, Ginny Brown-Waite (R-Fla.), noted that subcommittee staff recently visited PRCs located in Richmond, Va., Minneapolis, Minn., and Palo Alto, Calif., to provide oversight on the level of care being provided to wounded servicemembers at those units.
“When we talk about our wounded warriors from the Global War on Terrorism, the quest for excellence should be of utmost importance,” said Brown-Waite. “American soldiers are fighting around the world to protect the freedoms and rights we hold so dear. Unfortunately, some of our brave soldiers are wounded in battle, and it is our responsibility as Members of Congress to conduct oversight of our outstanding VA medical facilities.”
While Brown-Waite had high praise for the Tampa PRC near her district in Florida, she voiced concern that other units did not merit the same level of respect.
“Unfortunately, not all the PRCs around the nation are as good as the PRC in Tampa. One of the sites, Palo Alto, has a documented history of empty beds and a higher rejection rate than other PRCs,” Brown-Waite said. “With returning veterans looking for polytrauma care as close as possible to their home, it is imperative that sites like Palo Alto utilize some of the best practices at sites like Tampa to better serve their patients.”
“Families want the best care possible for their sons and daughters returning from combat,” Brown-Waite said. “It is a shame that some soldiers feel they have to travel across the country to receive the quality polytrauma care, solely because the PRC closest to their home does not meet their high expectations. Families from Washington State shouldn’t have to travel to Tampa to get care when a PRC in California has empty beds just waiting for patients.
“Our subcommittee will do whatever is necessary to work with VA doctors and officials to facilitate information sharing and the utilization of best practices,” Brown-Waite said. “Our wounded warriors deserve the finest medical care possible, and I will do my utmost to ensure that happens at PRCs around the nation.”
For more news from House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Republicans, please go to:
http://republicans.veterans.house.gov/
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