Addressing veterans' healthcare in Central Washington

Since the beginning of American history, the responsibility of preserving our freedoms has befallen the brave men and women who dedicate their lives to serving this country. In Washington State, there are over 509,700 veterans, and it is imperative they have the support of a grateful nation and the care promised to them by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). We are forever indebted to our veterans, and part of this debt includes ensuring that their healthcare benefits work for them, and currently, they do not.

During my time meeting with veterans all across Central Washington, I have heard time and time again that the VA has made the healthcare process exceedingly difficult. From long wait times and a lack of providers, to far drives to VA accredited hospitals and complex processes, it is clear that the department is long overdue for reforms. It is up to Congress to ensure that those who have dutifully served our nation receive the benefits that were promised to them, and my office has a long history of working directly with veterans and their families, but there is still more work to be done.

This past May, I proudly co-sponsored the Electronic Health Record (EHR) Program Restructure, Enhance, Strengthen, and Empower Technology (RESET) Act as part of the 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Improvement Act. The rollout of the Oracle Cerner Electronic Health Record (EHR) system has been disastrous from the start and has put the health and safety of veterans at risk.

I have seen the impacts firsthand at the Walla Walla medical center and the Richland clinic, and they are unacceptable, which is why immediate action is needed. Requiring the Veterans Health Administration to modernize the new EHR before rolling it out at other VA sites is the bare minimum. Congress must uphold its promise to our veterans by ensuring the VA fulfills their end of the bargain, and this bill is a critical step.

This week, I also co-sponsored the Veterans Caregiver Application and Appeals Reform (CARE) Act to improve the operations and oversight of the veterans Caregivers Program. Currently, Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) are unable to advocate for disabled veterans, which has led to a gap in care. Both veterans and caregivers have reported concerns with the application processes for the program, including the lack of proper notice for VA decisions and the lack of medical specialists to help evaluate veterans’ care needs.

The burden of applying for the Caregivers Program should not be left fully up to veterans who are struggling with injuries sustained in the battlefield — it should instead be a collaborative process which includes trained veterans advocates who understand how to work the system and guide people through the often-complicated process. As with many federal agencies and programs, the Caregivers Program is littered with bureaucratic red-tape, and this bill will help make the process more transparent for those in need of its services.

While I am working in Congress to ensure that our veterans receive all the care and benefits they deserve, my office also works directly with veterans and their families. If you or a loved one needs help navigating a federal agency to receive hard-earned benefits, lost service records, or war medals, please reach out to one of my district offices.

For more information on how you or a family member can receive veterans assistance, please visit my website at https://newhouse.house.gov/services/resources/military-and-veterans. We are here to serve you.