VIDEO: https://youtu.be/H2n-sscqLvI
WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall questioned Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary David Shulkin on the steps he is taking to ensure veterans are getting the health care and coverage they have earned. At the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies hearing, "Reducing Burden & Increasing Access to Healthcare: Improving VA Community Care," Udall asked Secretary Shulkin for clarification on his statements about "realigning" the VA and reports of planned closures of various VA health care facilities.
Last week, at a hearing in the U.S. House of Representatives, Secretary Shulkin talked about efforts to realign the VA and close certain facilities, raising concerns that the VA would shutter health clinics in an effort to consolidate services. Udall said, "it is troubling to me and to many veterans in New Mexico who heard talk of 'realignment' and closing VA facilities in a conversation about veterans seeking care in the private sector," adding that "we do not want to force veterans into the private sector where in many cases, private health providers don’t have the experience treating veterans’ specialized cases—like chemical exposure, traumatic brain injury, and PTSD."
In response, Secretary Shulkin said he has "no interest" in privatizing the VA and committed “not to eliminate or close facilities that are taking care of veterans.” Udall also requested a list of the facilities he was proposing to close and why, which Shulkin agreed to make available to the committee.
In addition, Udall submitted questions to Shulkin for the record about staffing shortages and excessive wait times reported within the New Mexico VA Health Care System, and efforts to prioritize rural broadband to improve access to telehealth programs for veterans.
Below is the text of Udall's remarks:
Secretary Shulkin, it is good to see you again. And congratulations on your confirmation earlier this year. I believe you are the only cabinet member to be confirmed unanimously, and that is a significant accomplishment in our current political environment, wouldn't you say Mr. Chairman?
But it is not surprising. Since you led the Veterans Health Administration under President Obama, you have continued to demonstrate your commitment to veterans and to ensuring that they receive quality health care. And I really, really thank you for that service.
My first question relates to your testimony to our sister subcommittee on the House side last week on the "realignment" of VA facilities. I voted to authorize the CHOICE program, and I have worked with my colleagues on the subcommittee to make many essential improvements. But I absolutely did not vote to privatize the VA and I don’t think many other senators did either.
But frankly, it is troubling to me and to many veterans in New Mexico who heard talk of "realignment" and closing VA facilities in a conversation about veterans seeking care in the private sector.
The Veterans CHOICE Program is one thing, but we do not want to force veterans into the private sector where in many cases, private health providers don’t have the experience treating veterans' specialized cases—like chemical exposure, traumatic brain injury, and PTSD.
This concern is not just speculation. In fact, a GAO report published just last week found that the VA does not adequately work with local veteran communities when they shut down a facility or relocate services. Specifically, GAO found that "the VA has not consistently followed best practices for effectively engaging stakeholders in facility consolidation efforts," and the "VA's efforts to align facilities with veterans' needs were challenged."
So, Secretary Shulkin, would you please clarify what you meant by realignment, and how you plan to improve the VA’s community engagement—specifically related to the 431 vacant buildings and 735 underutilized buildings you cited last week?
Is there a public list of these facilities, so that communities and their elected representatives can understand what may or may not be closed as part of this "realignment"?
