Casey Pushes Administration to Quickly Address Pittsburgh VA Waitlist, Clarify Concerns About Disclosure of Information

Press Release

Today U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) called on the Administration to address the problem of up to year-long wait times for approximately 650 veterans seeking care at the VA Pittsburgh Health System (VAPHS). Casey also asked that the VA address concerns that officials at VAPHS may have interpreted instructions from the Department of Veterans Affairs to mean that they should avoid disclosing the existence of a wait list to Members of Congress.

"It is unacceptable that those who have served our country should have to wait nearly a year to receive care," said Senator Casey. "There have been persistent problems at the Pittsburgh VAPHS so I am calling on the Administration to address these concerns immediately. Our veterans deserve care that honors the sacrifices they've made for our nation."

Senator Casey has been a leader in the Senate seeking ways to hold the VA more accountable. He pushed for greater transparency at the Pittsburgh VAPHS during the Legionnaires' outbreak. He has questioned wait times for veterans seeking care at Pennsylvania VA facilities. He has worked reduce the backlog in VA facilities across the country by establishing the VA Backlog Working Group as well as introducing legislation with Senator Dean Heller (R-NV). In many facilities across the country, wait times exceed upwards of 200 days for veterans seeking care. Senator Casey's legislation would work to improve benefits claims submission, reform practices in regional offices, and demand greater cooperation between federal agencies.

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