New York data show most vets get timely visits

MICHAEL VIRTANEN, Associated Press

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Federal data showed Monday that nine veterans’ medical centers in New York were scheduling 95 percent or more of their patients for appointments within 30 days, though hundreds were waiting longer at each facility.

The report from the Department of Veterans Affairs showed at least 91 percent of their patients would see practitioners within 14 days, which is the VA guideline for primary care visits. Hospital officials said some of the longer waits were for specialists.

“Thankfully, the wait times at VA hospitals are a lot better in New York than in Phoenix and elsewhere, but even one veteran who doesn’t get adequate health care, or has to wait too long, is one too many,” said U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer.

The Brooklyn Democrat said Congress should pass bipartisan legislation to let veterans get treatment from outside providers if they have to wait too long for VA care and to make it easier to fire senior VA regional officials and hospital administrators.

http://wivb.com/2014/06/09/new-york-data-show-most-vets-get-timely-visits/