Senator Scott Statement on New VA Wait Time Figures

Charleston, SC – U.S. Senator Tim Scott released the following statement today regarding new figures released by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) showing that more than 10 percent of veterans seeking care wait more than a month for an appointment – more than double the number of veterans than what the agency previously reported. The audit can be foundhere. “Our veterans deserve access to quality care in a timely manner – period,” Senator Scott said. “Today’s numbers released by the VA speak to the depth of the problems facing the system, and the urgency of investigations surrounding ‘secret’ waiting lists and how the health of our veterans was affected by mismanagement at the agency. I remain hopeful that Acting Secretary Gibson will continue to push for answers, and I will push onward in the fight to make sure our veterans receive the care they have earned.” Last Thursday, Senator Scottwrote Veterans Affairs Acting Secretary Sloan Gibson requesting answers to specific questions about the existence of backlogs, official waiting lists, “secret” waiting lists or unauthorized scheduling lists that exist at all 13 Veteran Health Administration facilities in South Carolina. The answers are due from the VA by close of business today.