Kilmer to Local Veterans on VA: ‘Those Who Did Harm Need to be Held Accountable’
TACOMA, WA – Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, joined local veterans at a Tacoma VFW post and listened to their experiences with the Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system in the wake of VA Secretary Eric Shinseki’s resignation last Friday. The listening session was part of Rep. Kilmer’s ongoing dialogue with veterans in the region.
Last week, the VA Office of Inspector General released a report detailing the manipulation of wait lists for veterans seeking medical care. Among its main findings was that 226 veterans trying to use the Phoenix VA waited an average of 115 days for their first primary care appointment.
“It is clear that the VA system is failing our veterans,” said Kilmer. “We have a basic responsibility to provide quality health care to those who served. But some within the VA system appear to be more concerned with looking good than doing good and those who did harm need to be held accountable. Beyond that, it is clear that there must be significant, systemic change within the VA.
“That change begins with conversations like the one we had today. It extends to legislative solutions and ensuring we root out those responsible for letting military members who served honorably languish with health problems. Having care that comes too little, too late is not good enough for those who have put their lives on the line for our nation. We need to regain the confidence of – and do right by – our veterans and their families.”
Washington state’s 6th District is home to more than 25,000 active duty and reserve service members, along with more than 50,000 veterans and their families. Recent news reports found that over the most recent six months where records are available, the wait time for patients at the VA Puget Sound was 39.6 days. Out of the 140 medical centers in the VA system that is the 15th longest wait time. Nationally, the VA has a backlog of 291,740 claims that are taking on average more than 240 days to close.
The meeting took place at VFW 10018 Narrow Bridge Post. Kilmer was invited by Post Commander Mike Hopper to hear from veterans about issues they face getting the care they need.
Before Secretary Shinseki made his announcement last week, Reps. Kilmer and Suzan DelBene called for him to step down.
###