MONTGOMERY, Ala. – New data from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs shows the already-long wait times for veterans seeking mental health services in Central Alabama have gotten even worse.
New veteran patients seeking mental health care must wait an average of 67 days, up from the 56 day average reported in May. Rep. Martha Roby (R-AL2) said on Monday that such a digression represents a disservice to veterans and a serious public safety issue.
“The latest data shows we still have a major problem with mental health services at the Central Alabama VA, and it is actually getting worse,” Rep. Roby said.
“I hope people understand how serious a problem it is for veterans in need of mental health care to have to wait more than two months for an appointment. That is obviously a disservice to veterans, but it is also a major public safety issue for Central Alabama. To think that a soldier returning from Afghanistan with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder has to wait two months for an appointment to get care he needs and deserves – it’s a disgrace.
“We know it’s going to take time to fully reform the VA, but we should not be moving in the wrong direction.”
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Roby has been an advocate for greater utilization of outside health providers to cut down on wait times at the VA. The VA reform law passed this summer included specific requirements and funding for VA medical centers to refer patients to outside providers when demand exceeds capacity.
“We passed a law that gave veteran patients forced to wait more than 30 days for an appointment guaranteed access to outside care,” she said. “So, I want to know how many mental health patients CAVHCS has referred to outside providers in light of these numbers.”
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