VA hospitals across the country have the same problem; wait times are way too long. After the 2014 wait-time scandal in Phoenix where the VA hospital created records that covered up lengthy wait times, VA hospitals have been strict on their record keeping. The problem is not only here in Fayetteville, Arkansas (IS THERE A PROBLEM HERE? HOW DO YOU KNOW?), its sister city, Fayetteville, North Carolina, is experiencing the same issue. Fayetteville, North Carolina is among the worst in the country and has not gotten any better since the tighter record keeping.  According to the article in The Fayetteville Observer (DATE), a new patient seeking primary care appointments can expect to wait roughly 93 days.

A problem that VA hospitals face is a lack of physician assistants according to the Muskogee Phoenixr (DATE). The issue is the pay; a PA (AVOID ACRONYMS – SPELL IT OUT. TRANSLATE FOR READERS) can receive more money working in the private sector as opposed to in a VA hospital. President Trump has combated that by implementing a law that will help VA hospitals compete in paying PAs. Trump also implemented a bill to fund veterans medical care programs according to the Bismarck Tribune(DATE). One aspect of it is allowing veterans to go to the private sector if they are facing a wait time more than 30 days.

Elswick, M. (August 14, 2017 Monday). VA patient wait times could see improvement. “Muskogee Phoenix” (Oklahoma). Retrieved from http://0-www.lexisnexis.com.library.uark.edu/lnacui2api/api/version1/getDocCui?lni=5P7Y-W4N1-DYNS-30S3&csi=270944,270077,11059,8411&hl=t&hv=t&hnsd=f&hns=t&hgn=t&oc=00240&perma=true

Lemire, J. (August 13, 2017 Sunday). Trump signs bill to fund veterans medical care program Trump OKs $2B for vets’ medical care. “The Bismarck Tribune”. Retrieved from http://0-www.lexisnexis.com.library.uark.edu/lnacui2api/api/version1/getDocCui?lni=5P7K-D8F1-F039-F1YY&csi=270944,270077,11059,8411&hl=t&hv=t&hnsd=f&hns=t&hgn=t&oc=00240&perma=true

Military, D. B. (July 3, 2014 Thursday). New data shows slightly longer wait times at Fayetteville VA Medical Center. “The Fayetteville Observer” (Fayetteville, North Carolina). Retrieved from http://0-www.lexisnexis.com.library.uark.edu/lnacui2api/api/version1/getDocCui?lni=5CK9-2WX1-JC6P-C045&csi=270944,270077,11059,8411&hl=t&hv=t&hnsd=f&hns=t&hgn=t&oc=00240&perma=true

Questions on VA Data

What constitutes primary/specialty/mental care?

If audit findings of phase 1 called for immediate action, it can be assumed that something was really wrong. Why was this not a formal investigation on VA hospitals that were significantly worse than others?