Kent Conrad: “during the recent congressional adjournment, I had many opportunities to meet with veterans across North Dakota and…”

“during the recent congressional adjournment, I had many opportunities to meet with veterans across North Dakota and medical care professionals within the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Fargo regarding issues relating to veterans medical care and the VA budget. One concern raised repeatedly by veterans and VA health care professionals related to the lengthy waiting periods for service-connected, non-emergency speciality medical care. In many cases, the waiting period for a veteran between the initial consultation by a VA health care professional, and the scheduled appointment with a medical specialist was 6 to 10 months, and in some instances up to a year. Last year, Mr. President, the Independent Budget For Fiscal Year 2000 prepared by the Disabled American Veterans, AMVETS, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Paralyzed Veterans of America, called attention to the specialized care concerns, particularly the impact of funding shortfalls on staffing to provide specialized medical services. The Independent Budget emphasized the need to provide adequate resources for veterans with speciality needs. More recently, surveys of VA medical facilities by the Disabled Veterans of America confirmed no significant improvement in waiting periods for medical care at VA facilities. Mr. President, veterans requesting speciality care at a DVA medical facility are entitled to speciality care within a reasonable period of time.”