The Veterans Affairs Community Care Program (VCCP) offers health care to veterans in need outside of VA hospitals.
A recent analysis revealed shortcomings in the Veterans Health Administration’s (VHA) ability to identify and remove providers from the VCCP who fail to provide safe and acceptable care.
Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) wrote to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough about the findings and its implications for Florida’s veterans.
“Veterans across the country deserve to know that when they are referred to a community care provider that the VA has ensured that the provider is one that will provide the safe, appropriate, reliable, and necessary care that the veteran deserves. I would like to receive regular updates on VA’s plans to implement the OIG’s recommendations, and also request answers to the following questions,” said Rubio.
- What steps are being taken to ensure that the reasons for healthcare providers’ removals are accurately documented and considered in the exclusion process?
- What improvements or updates to the process is the VA planning to implement to ensure that no eligible provider is wrongly excluded from the VCCP?
- How is the VA ensuring compliance with the MISSION Act section 108(a)(1), which required the VA to exclude VCCP eligibility if the healthcare provider was removed from Department employment, in their current operational procedures?
- How often does the VA periodically review the effectiveness of its exclusion processes?
- What specific measures are being implemented to include all clinical occupations in the automated query used for identifying providers for exclusion?
- How is the VA addressing the issue of incomplete coverage of personnel actions in the data that leads to missing out on identifying providers who should be excluded?
- How does the VA plan to inform patients when a provider has been excluded?
When it comes to advocating for the rights and well-being of veterans, Senator Marco Rubio has been at the forefront.
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Throughout his tenure, Rubio has shown unwavering support for those who have served our country. From reforming the Veterans Administration to passing legislation that provides essential benefits, Rubio’s accomplishments have made a significant impact on the lives of veterans.
One of Rubio’s most significant accomplishments in support of veterans was the VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act. This landmark legislation, passed in 2017, aimed to address the neglect and abuse within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The act empowered the VA secretary to take action against bad employees and protect whistleblowers. Its passage sent a clear message that maintaining the status quo was no longer acceptable for those who had borne the battle.
Rubio’s efforts did not stop there. In 2021, he collaborated with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand on the Honoring our PACT Act, which required the VA to provide benefits to veterans suffering from toxic burn pit exposure. This legislation was a crucial step towards assisting tens of thousands of Marines, military family members, and civilian staff who developed severe illnesses from contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.
Supporting Veterans’ Transition to Civilian Life
Rubio understands the challenges veterans face when transitioning from military service to civilian life. To ease this process, he has championed initiatives to help veterans find employment opportunities in various sectors. In 2014, Rubio worked to make it easier for veterans to become certified mariners, opening doors to careers in the maritime industry.
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Additionally, Rubio’s Supporting Veterans in STEM Careers Act, passed in 2020, directed the Office of Science and Technology to study barriers to workforce reentry for veterans. It also directed the National Science Foundation to provide support for veterans pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. These efforts have played a crucial role in ensuring that veterans can leverage their skills and expertise in high-demand fields.
Honoring Veterans’ Sacrifices
Rubio has consistently demonstrated his commitment to honoring the sacrifices made by veterans. In 2020, he led a bill to rename the St. Augustine VA clinic after Private First Class Leo C. Chase, Jr., the first man from St. Johns County to be killed in the Vietnam War. This renaming serves as a lasting tribute to Chase’s bravery and sacrifice.
Similarly, Rubio spearheaded legislation to award the Medal of Honor to Sergeant First Class Alwyn Chase, who saved six comrades from a broken-down vehicle before succumbing to his wounds. By recognizing Chase’s heroic actions, Rubio ensures that his memory lives on and that his sacrifice is never forgotten.
In 2022, Rubio successfully passed a bill to rename the Clay County VA clinic after Chief Petty Officer Andrew K. Baker, who tragically lost his life in a helicopter crash in 1997. This renaming honors Baker’s service and ensures that his legacy endures.
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