WASHINGTON, D.C.— The House passed H.R. 4810, the Veterans Access to Care Act with a vote of 421-0. This  legislation would allow any veteran forced to wait more than 30 days for an appointment, the option to receive private-sector care. Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins (KS-02) released the following statement after the vote:

“The report yesterday that more than 57,000 veterans across the nation have been waiting 90 days or more to receive care is unacceptable and an American tragedy that must be fixed. The House took decisive action today and passed legislation by a unanimous vote to help ensure our veterans have timely access to care by giving them the choice to avoid waitlists and long commutes. More work must be done to keep the promise to our heroes, but this legislation is a good step – especially for veterans in Kansas who travel long distances for care.Senate Democrats have no excusebut to pass this bill immediately and send it to the President’s desk.”

VA Access Audit for KS:

The audit revealed that six patients were on electronic waiting lists in the VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System which includes Colmery-O’Neil VA Medical Center and Dwight D. Eisenhower VA Medical Center. The Leavenworth facility in particular was flagged for further review and investigation.  

What They Are Saying:

The Topeka Capital-Journalreported yesterday on the staff changes at Colmery-O’Neil VA Medical Center: The chief of staff who led Topeka's Colmery-O'Neil VA Medical Center during a doctor shortage that closed the emergency department is moving on, while a spokesman for the facility says it now has enough staff to reopen the emergency room. Jenkins, in a statement released by her office Monday, said “there is no doubt" Colmery O'Neil was "a facility in need of new medical leadership. … This is a positive development and an opportunity for change for our veterans in Eastern Kansas, but I have concerns with what this means for the overall mismanagement of the VA," Jenkins said.

Kansas First News reported on the temporary closures of the emergency room at Colmery-O’Neil: Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins responded Monday night about the problems with the Colmery-O’Neil VA hospital’s ER re-opening. In an e-mail she says, “While I’m pleased to hear the Topeka VA is closer to having a functioning emergency room, Colmery-O’Neil has a recent history of staffing issues and the VA’s internal investigation is still ongoing. It is critical the emergency room is reopened as soon as possible, but it is even more critical that it is done right and not reopened until our veterans can be assured they are getting the treatment they deserve.”

Kansas First News also highlightedCongresswoman Jenkins letter to Secretary Shinseki last Summer requesting he look into the staffing shortage in the emergency room. To watch the report, click here.  

WIBW/AP noted Congresswoman Jenkins’ statement saying she still has concerns about the VA's overall management:"There's obviously a great deal of work to be done and certainly no grace period for the new leaders at Colmery-O'Neil," said Jenkins.  

To watch WIBW’s full report, click here.

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