Hello. I'm Congressman Joe Heck.
Over the past few weeks, the American people have heard deeply disturbing reports about the mismanagement of Veterans Administration facilities and the mistreatment of our veterans.
As an active member of the Army Reserve, military physician, and veteran myself, it concerns me greatly to learn our veterans are not receiving the care, treatment, or respect they have earned and deserve.
I have reviewed the VA Office of Inspector General's interim report on the Phoenix Health Care System and I am appalled at its findings, including quote "we have substantiated that significant delays in access to care negatively impacted the quality of care at this medical facility" end quote.
What is even more concerning is that the issues identified are not new: Since 2005, the VA OIG has issued 18 reports that identified, at both the national and local levels, deficiencies in scheduling resulting in lengthy waiting times and the negative impact on patient care.
Clearly these are very trying times for both the Veterans Administration and those brave men and women who rely on the VA for healthcare and other services.
But it's not the time for rash actions -- it's time for solutions.
Any actions taken in the coming days and weeks should be done with one thing in mind -- what is best for our veterans.
Removing Secretary of Veterans Affairs General Eric Shinseki will not solve the bureaucratic problems at the VA. The issues are long-standing, more deeply-rooted and much broader than just one person.
Immediate actions to take include those in H.R. 4031, the Department of Veterans Affairs Management Accountability Act, which gives the Secretary the authority to remove an employee of the Senior Executive Service if the employee's performance warrants removal. This bill passed the House last week and awaits action in the Senate.
HR 3858, The Veteran-Centered Access to Coordinated Health Care Act, will allow veterans to access healthcare services from non-VA providers in cases of geographical inaccessibility or a lack of required personnel or ability to provide timely and reasonable access. The House should take action on this bill.
Next week, while in Nevada, I will be visiting VA facilities in the Third District, meeting with my Veterans Advisory Panel, and hosting a listening session with local veterans to hear their views on the local VA healthcare system and discuss additional ways we can bring needed improvements to the Veterans Administration.
I will continue working with local veterans, veterans service organizations, and VA officials, as well as my colleagues in Congress, to make sure that the House of Representatives, and the VA, is responsive to the needs of those men and women who have made great sacrifices for our country.
Our veterans gave us their best. We must work together to ensure they get the best from the VA in return.
Visit Heck dot house dot gov slash VETERANS for details about the upcoming listening session.
Additionally, if you or someone you know needs assistance with a problem involving the VA, please contact my Nevada office at 702 -- 387 -- 4941.
Thanks for listening.
