June 9, 2014

Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada's First District and Ranking Member of the Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs issued the following statement today in response to the release of the Department of Veterans Affairs' internal audit of scheduling practices at VHA facilities nationwide:

“Today's report definitively exposes the systematic problems plaguing Veterans health facilities across the country. These problems are completely unacceptable and the VA must take immediate corrective action to address the failures in management, improve patient care, and ensure veterans are getting the care they need in a timely fashion, starting with the North Las Vegas VA Medical Center. I will call on Isabel Duff to verify that steps have been taken to correct any inappropriate scheduling practices uncovered by the audit.

“This week, the House will consider proposals to increase access to private care for those veterans who have experienced long wait times. I plan to support this legislation because we should take all possible steps to provide timely care to veterans throughout the United States.

“Unfortunately, Nevada ranks among the states with the lowest number of physicians relative to its population, including: 46^th for general and family practitioners, 50^th for psychiatrists, and 51^st for specialty surgeons. That's why I'm working with my colleague, Rep. Beto O'Rourke (TX-16), to introduce legislation that would increase the number of medical residency positions at VA hospitals in communities, like Las Vegas and El Paso, which are facing a significant physician shortage.  Doctors tend to stay in the communities where they do their residency. By increasing the number of new doctors being trained, this legislation would help meet an immediate need in the VA system and take a step toward addressing the long-term, nationwide physician shortage.”