Give Veterans the Health Care They Deserve, Staff the VA

The recent revelations of long waiting lists for military veterans seeking treatment at Veterans Affairs (VA) health care facilities and of management cover-ups has prompted AFGE to again call on Congress to fully staff the VA in order to provide the health care veterans deserve.

In this new video, AFGE says:

We can’t heal the VA until we fill thousands of vacant positions, reopen hospital beds and increase resources or patient care.

Since 2009, 2 million veterans have entered the VA health care system, and in the past three years primary care appointments have jumped 50%, yet the number of primary care doctors has increased by just 9%.

In addition to the physicians, staffing the VA must include clerks and other support personnel who work hand in hand with doctors to ensure that top notch medical care is provided at every VA clinic in a productive and timely manner. AFGE National President J. David Cox Sr. says:

We regularly receive reports from VA providers and support personnel about the devastating effects of chronic short-staffing on veterans’ ability to receive quality, timely care. 

On Monday, AFGE sent letters to Senate and House members on the conference committee for the Veteran Access to Care Act of 2014, urging them to support the Senate version of the bill.   

Go to Staff the VA to learn more and to contact your lawmaker on the conference committee.

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This has been reposted from the AFL-CIO.

Posted In: Allied Approaches, From AFL-CIO