Veterans Affairs Needs $17.6 Billion to Clear Wait Times, According to Report

The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) acting secretary Sloan Gibson informed senators that the organization needs an estimated $17.6 billion in additional funding over the next 3 years to eliminate long wait times for veterans’ appointments.

Mr. Gibson said that without more resources to buy private care and increase internal capacity, the wait times will get longer as more veterans return from war and get older, thus turning to the VA for healthcare.

The additional $17.6 billion in funding would only last the organization through the 2017 fiscal year, according to Mr. Gibson. Approximately $10 billion in funding would be allocated to purchasing private care for veterans and to hire 10,000 new clinical staff members, including 1500 physicians, according to the statement. Another $6 billion would be allocated for construction of new clinics and facilities, which would open up an estimated 8 million new appointment slots per year, according to Mr. Gibson.

Mr. Gibson noted that to keep ahead of the rising population of veterans in need of care, more money will be needed in the future. Mr. Gibson has been working with the White House budget office to develop this funding request. The Congressional Budget Office has estimated an even higher need for funding for the VA, pegging costs at $35 billion over the next decade.

The VA has been plauged with controversy since May when news broke of internal cover-ups and lack of care for veterans. President Barack Obama has nominated Bob McDonald, former chief executive of Procter and Gamble, Co, for the VA secretary position. Mr. McDonald will face the Senate panel in the near future for a confirmation hearing.

The VA operates the largest US healthcare system, providing care to nearly 9 million veterans at approximately 1700 facilities throughout the country.—Kerri Fitzgerald

Source: Thomson Reuters. 2014; U.S. veterans agency needs $17.6 billion to clear wait times: acting head.