06.24.15

Sullivan presses official on fixing ‘five-alarm fire’ in VA healthcare system in Alaska

WASHINGTON, DC – During a Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee hearing today to discuss pending legislation, U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) pressed a senior VA official on fixing the emerging crisis in Alaska’s unique VA system. Senator Sullivan has heard complaints from numerous Alaska veterans since the “Choice Act” began to be implemented in Alaska.

Additionally, Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Johnny Isakson (R-GA) committed to Senator Sullivan’s request to hold a field hearing in Alaska in August to help fix the breakdown in implementation of the Choice Act in Alaska.

As a response to the long wait-time scandals at the Phoenix Veterans Affairs facility, the Choice Act was signed into law in 2014. However, due to Alaska’s unique needs, the Choice Act program is not delivering on the promise of improving access to care for Alaska’s veterans.

Senator Sullivan officially requested a hearing on June 16. Senator Lisa Murkowski, Representative Don Young, and Governor Bill Walker have also all written letters imploring the VA to act on the crisis.

sullivan4

(Click on the photo above to watch Sen. Sullivan question VA official)

During the hearing today, Senator Sullivan stressed the urgency of the ongoing crisis, and likened it to the Phoenix VA scandal. “(W)e have…without exaggeration a five-alarm fire going on in my state—with our veterans, because of the way the Choice Act is being implemented,” Senator Sullivan said.

VA officials have traveled to Alaska to listen to complaints. However, at the hearing and during a phone call to the VA’s newly confirmed Under Secretary for Health, Senator Sullivan received commitments for long-term solutions to Alaska’s crisis. He demanded that during the upcoming field hearing in Alaska, the VA would provide those solutions to ensure that our veterans have the healthcare they need and have earned.

“It’s Phoenix all over again. People are having their appointments cancelled at the last minute, showing up for surgery,” Senator Sullivan said. “The VA in Washington has to take responsibility. It can’t blame this on the Congress.”

###