Don’t deny veterans the care they've earned

Create a better VA system for today’s veterans and tomorrow’s.

Sign The Letter

I was disappointed recently to read of your decision to undermine the VA MISSION Act law by refusing to even participate in the AIR Commission confirmation process. Your actions are an afront to veterans everywhere and deny them a modern, responsive, and flexible VA health system to meet their needs.

Since the Phoenix VA scandal in 2014, the VA MISSION Act and the AIR process established under it represent the greatest opportunity to refocus the VA’s offerings on the veterans it serves. The AIR process is critical to providing safe, modern, and efficient facilities for veterans to have their health care needs met.

Previously, Senator Tester, you championed the VA MISSION Act and the AIR Commission it established:

“Wherever it makes sense for the veteran to go, that’s where they go. Our bill gets rid of a one-size-fits-all system and creates a more efficient, easier-to-navigate system.”

It seems now politics takes priority over the veterans who have fought, sacrificed, and lost in defense of this country and the freedoms we enjoy. For their sake, the least you can do is muster the political willpower to face, debate, and make the tough decisions on something they were promised for that sacrifice.

Not allowing the VA to adapt, modernize, and improve keeps veterans trapped in a broken, outdated, and outmoded system. They deserve better.

Each of you represent vast constituencies of veterans in your respective states. Beyond that, your actions will affect the millions of veterans around the country who need a better VA system. Don’t pass the buck.

Don’t deny them the care they need and have earned. Let the AIR process play out and create a better VA system for today’s veterans and tomorrow’s.

Cc: Sens. Manchin, Heinrich, Rounds, Capito, Hassan, Thune, Brown, Murray, Daines, Portman, Luján

Respectfully,

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Please check this box if you or someone in your household is a veteran.

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Senator Tester and a handful of Senate colleagues recently announced that the Senate will take no further action to advance the AIR commission, allowing the critical process to effectively die. This inaction will deny veterans the benefits of a dynamic and modern VA health system designed to meet the needs of today’s veteran population and that of the future. Instead, veterans will remain trapped in a rigid system that cannot adapt to the changing and unique needs of the veterans it serves.

Why the AIR Commission needed
The VA is facing significant infrastructure challenges due to unused infrastructure, aging facilities (most are over 50 years old), and rising costs ($58-71 billion) to maintain these outdated facilities. Additionally, the veteran population is estimated to shrink by nearly 40 percent within the next 25 years. Further, today’s veterans opt to live in different communities compared to previous generations creating a significant strain on some facilities and leaving others with empty beds. Finally, healthcare delivery looks different from decades ago and with the addition of the Veteran Community Care Program, veterans have even more options for care.

Inaction will hurt veterans
The AIR process is critical to providing safe, modern, and efficient facilities for veterans to have their health care needs met. If the AIR process fails to move forward, it will hurt veterans most, keeping them in a system of aging and outmoded facilities. With a greater outpatient focus, alternative models of care delivery (i.e., telehealth, community care, urgent care), the physical footprint of VA-operated facilities should look different. Confirming commissioners and supporting the AIR process is key to a modern and efficient VA health care system that puts the health care needs of the veteran first.

Tell Senator Tester and his colleagues to prioritize veterans over politics!