This Saturday, November 14, VA medical centers across the country will participate in the first-ever National Access Stand Down.
A team of clinical leaders, administrators and volunteers will be on site at every VA medical center from 9 a.m. to noon to reach out to all Veterans waiting for urgent care and make sure we are meeting their health care needs.
VA’s ability to meet the urgent health needs of our Veterans remains a priority for VA and the nation. As long as there is even a single Veteran with an urgent care need that we are not meeting in a timely fashion, we will not be satisfied.
Although we have greatly increased access since last June (through more hires and expanded clinic hours), our demand has also significantly increased and we still have Veterans waiting longer than they should for care. That’s why we’re holding this National Access Stand Down.
Many of our federal, community, and academic partners have been recruited to pitch in and help us resolve any outstanding urgent appointments at the one-day Stand Down. This event will demonstrate to you, our Veterans, and the nation how serious we are about ending the access crisis.
And our efforts to fix the access issues will continue after November 14. We will not rest until we fix our systemic problems in addressing the health needs of those who need our help the most.
VA is committed to providing timely access to Veterans as determined by their clinical needs. We strive for all Veterans to have safe, high-quality, personalized, and timely care wherever they receive their health care services. Veterans should contact their Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) with questions about the urgency of their condition.
About the Author: Dr. David Shulkin is the Under Secretary for Health, Veterans Health Administration
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This shows you are listening; thanks. I don’t think most vets are unreasonable, & expect change overnight(?), but we are tired of empty promises. NO disrespect; just honesty. I have been a critic of all the e pensive mtgs, conferences, etc., but have admitted when I was wrong. One thing I KNOW I am not wrong abt is the need for “front-line” veteran service meetings, conferences, etc., at many clinics! I’m lucky, Prescott VA is really okay.(if you disagree, try getting on the Diamond team), but I have worked with & seen people that needed to change OR be fired.
Changing the VA is one helluva battle, & not many people are betting on Secretary McDonald; even fewer rooting for him. I don’t care what people think about what I say on this blog, “you don’t know me!”, but I do care abt my country & my brothers and sisters! If we don’t get in the game & help Secretary McDonald, the politicians will have us signing up for Obamacare ! Like the VA or not, they promised it to us, we served our country, & they need to keep at least one promise!