In The News
Culberson Introduces Bill to Allow Volunteer Physicians at the VACulberson Introduces Bill to Allow Volunteer Physicians at the VA Washington—Congressman John Culberson (TX-07) introduced H.R. 5686, the “Physician Ambassadors Helping Veterans Act,” a bill that would increase the timeliness and quality of care for our nation’s veterans in the VA system. Rep. Culberson came up with the idea for the bill together with a physician from MD Anderson who was frustrated that she couldn’t volunteer at a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facility. Since then, Culberson has learned of numerous other doctors with similar stories. Culberson’s bill would remove the bureaucratic barriers preventing certified doctors from volunteering their services at the VA in an effort to alleviate the system-wide backlogs and patient wait times. Culberson said the following about the bill: “It’s a simple step and a common-sense idea: if a certified doctor wants to help out, he or she should be able to. Our veterans shouldn’t have to wait weeks, months, and years for care at their local VA. We can help veterans get the prompt care they need and deserve across the VA system by allowing volunteer doctors to provide services in facilities that are constrained by appointment waiting lists and staffing shortages. “I’m thankful for the opportunity to hear about this issue from Dr. Beth Edeiken-Monroe in Houston. This simple idea could potentially help hundreds of our veterans get quick access to high quality and reliable health care. My Physician Volunteer Ambassadors Helping Veterans Act would enable willing physicians to give their time and expertise to veterans in exchange for a forty-hour minimum annual volunteer commitment. Although the VA currently has the congressional authority to allow physician volunteers to work in its facilities, it does not often do so. Most importantly, this bill will allow local doctors—like Dr. Edeiken-Monroe—to help patients in local VA hospitals. This enables the VA to retain oversight of its patients’ care while easing some of the pressure on permanent VA staff in strained facilities. “For generations, veterans have shown untold courage and sacrifice to ensure that our American way of life can continue long into the future. The men and women who have served our country are truly American heroes, and it’s not surprising that people around the country want to help the VA serve our veterans. This bill is a step toward making sure our veterans get the care they’ve earned.” The Physician Ambassadors Helping Veterans Act directs the VA to use its existing authority to promptly grant privileges to volunteer physicians in VA hospitals that are struggling with appointment waiting lists or staffing shortages. Because granting privileges to outside physicians can require additional administrative work on the part of VA, the bill also includes a minimum 40-hour per year volunteer requirement to ensure that the facility gets maximum benefit and greater consistency in patient care from any volunteers. Reps. O’Rourke (TX-16) and Olson (TX-22) cosponsored the legislation. |