Meehan Seeks Answers on Area VA Hospital Ratings
WASHINGTON – Congressman Patrick Meehan (R/PA-7) today wrote the Department of Veterans Affairs seeking information on the department’s ratings of VA medical centers (VAMCs) in the Philadelphia area. A report by USA Today published this week revealed the existence of a one- to five-star rating system for VA medical facilities that before now had not been made public.
“Our men and women in uniform deserve the very best care after serving our nation and the transparency to ensure that the medical centers they visit are held accountable for providing quality care,” Meehan wrote. “When it comes to ensuring high-quality care for our veterans at the hands of the VA, the answer is more information and more transparency – not less.”
The USA Today report indicated that as of the end of 2015, the VA medical centers in Philadelphia and Wilmington received only three out of a possible five stars. The facility in Lebanon County, Pa. received only four stars.
More recent ratings data for these facilities was not made public by the USA Today report.
“According to the 2015 data provided in the USA Today report, the Philadelphia and Wilmington VAMCs only received a 3-star rating. The Lebanon VAMC only received a 4-star rating. What steps have been taken to improve the care and service these VAMCs provide for the veterans they serve?” Meehan asked.
The full text of Meehan’s letter is below.
December 8, 2016
Dr. David Shulkin
Undersecretary for Health
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
810 Vermont Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20420
Dear Dr. Shulkin:
I write to you today regarding a recent report by USA Today regarding the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) one- to five-star ratings for VA medical centers (VAMCs). On behalf of the region’s veterans, I am requesting information regarding the ratings for the VAMCs serving my constituent veterans following the release of data on other VA medical facilities. Our men and women in uniform deserve the very best care after serving our nation and the transparency to ensure that the medical centers they visit are held accountable for providing quality care.
I wish to inquire about the following:
- What data and methodology does the VA use to determine star ratings for VAMCs?
- What are the most recent star ratings for the Philadelphia, Lebanon, and Wilmington VAMCs? How have those ratings changed since the VA began rating VAMCs?
- Are any of the local VAMCs currently on the high-risk watch list, or have they been in the past?
- How does the VA work with low-performing VAMCs to develop and oversee improvement plans?
- According to the 2015 data provided in the USA Today report, the Philadelphia and Wilmington VAMCs only received a 3-star rating. The Lebanon VAMC only received a 4-star rating. What steps have been taken to improve the care and service these VAMCs provide for the veterans they serve?
When it comes to ensuring high-quality care for our veterans at the hands of the VA, the answer is more information and more transparency – not less.
Thank you in advance for your prompt attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Patrick Meehan
Member of Congress