Political Quotes

“Now, the reason I have paid so much attention to this backlog is because every single week the team that works with me in Tennessee handling these issues with our VSOs--our veterans service officers--keeps track of what we hear from the veterans. Right now in Tennessee, I have veterans telling me they are waiting almost 100 days for a primary care appointment at the VA. Now, for many vets, this is just step 1. So once they contact the VA, it is 100 days. Think about that: 100 days before they get that primary care appointment, and that is if the appointment doesn't get canceled or it has to be rescheduled. So that is an average to get to step 1--first step. Across Tennessee, veterans are waiting yet another 39 days to get mental healthcare. Now, if they are needing dental appointments, dental surgery, or dental care, that is 44 days. If they go for that primary care appointment and they need to go see a cardiologist, that is 33 days; 28 days to see a gynecologist; 30 days to go talk to someone about chronic pain. Look at what is happening. The VA cannot meet the load in front of them. Our veterans--our veterans who have defended our Nation's freedom--cannot get the care they need in a timely manner. Now, we have done a lot of work over the years to help the VA help itself. We have given them support for hiring. We have given them support for retention. But, Madam President, it takes 90 days for this Agency, the VA, to hire one person--90 days.…”