Tell Congress to stop these bills from expanding the VCCP
Congress is now working to merge three bills: the Health Act of 2023, the Making Community Care Work for Veterans Act of 2023, and the Veteran Care Improvement Act of 2023. It is time Congress takes steps to to ensure the VA remains the quality, veteran-centric entity that it is.
Tell Secretary McDonough to change VA eligibility regulations
All veterans who were not given a dishonorable discharge should be able to choose health care from the VA. Many of those with a recent OTH discharge could benefit from the VA’s expertise in PTSD, TBI or MST care.
VA care once again found to be better than private sector care!
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed VA surgical care for women was associated with half the risk of postoperative death for non-cardiac surgeries than private sector care. Sending patients to the private sector decreases demands for VA care and could be used to justify closure of services.
Private sector referrals keep increasing even though VA wait times are shorter
Veterans are referred to the private sector for care if the wait for a VA appointment is deemed too long - but recent studies show wait times in the private sector are even longer. The Senate is considering a bill that puts the current wait time standards into law. Tell Congress not to do this by clicking below.
VA Staffing Shortages are Being Made Even Worse
The chronic understaffing of the VA is being made worse by centralizing VA hiring at the regional level and by a proposal to spend $23 billion over 10 years on hiring temporary staff. Tell your Members of Congress to pressure the VA to end these efforts and use funds for hiring permanent VA staff.
Tell your Members of Congress to support dental health care for at risk veterans!
Patients with diabetes or heart disease are at greater risk for heart attack, stroke, or kidney disease when they have gum disease. Tell your Representatives and Senators to support expanded dental care for veterans.
Put VCCP on hold until it can be evaluated!
Congress needs to pause expansion of the VCCP and demand quality and cost evaluations. This is a critical step to be taken now as VA care is at a tipping point for being able to compete with private care. Click below to tell your Members of Congress to vote no on S 1315 and S 2649 and demand VCCP evaluations.
Tell Congress to fund the VA, not send more tax dollars to the private sector!
Urge your Members of Congress to reject President Biden's VA budget and insist that funds be directed to strengthening VHA, instead of filling the coffers of private corporations.
