LACKAWANNA, N.Y. (WKBW) — Western New York veterans, like Mike Valent, are raising concerns over care at the VA Medical Center.
Valent said sometimes if vets get an x-ray, doctors contact patients months later.
"If you're in pain, that doesn't work," Valent said.
Valent, a Vietnam vet, said he has been having painful issues with his feet.
I asked Valent if he is receiving immediate care for that.
"No, I'm getting nothing," Valent responded. "I know a lot of guys just gave up. They live with their conditions or their problems. You know?"
Bernie Romanowski, a Vietnam vet and a retired Lieutenant Colonel, said he's experienced problems too.
"There's a backlog. Staffing is overwhelmed. A lot of veterans' issues aren't really handled. They get pushed back," Romanowski said.
He said the VA does a lot of good. Last year the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services gave the WNY VA healthcare system five stars, but Romanowski said he is hoping to see some improvements made.
"It's a bureaucratic nightmare," Romanowski said.
Assemblyman Pat Burke invited vets for a roundtable discussion at the American Legion Matthew Glab Post in Lackawanna to hear from these vets.
"And really what we're finding that it's a bureaucratic mess. You know, it's not ill intent, it's people who are overworked, understaffed and a lot of need, and then you need to meet multiple steps," Burke said.
There is a survey for veterans to share their experiences if they didn't make the meeting.
"And then we take that to the VA, and hopefully they are responsive to that, and if they're not, then we have another conversation," Burke added.
I did reach out to the VA about these concerns and was told there would not be a statement until Wednesday.
Meantime, Valent is hopeful these conversations will spark change.
"The veteran should...come first," Valent said.
A spokesperson with the VA sent the following statement:
There is no change to VA’s community care program and VA continues to ensure that Veterans can access world-class care whenever and wherever they need it, whether that’s in the community or in the direct VA care system.
Whenever it takes too long to get a Veteran access to needed care at a VA facility (or if they would have to drive too far), we ensure that they get care from a community provider. Veterans eligible for community care can always choose to receive care from a provider in VA’s community care network. In fact, VA has delivered all-time record numbers of community care appointments to Veterans during each of the past 6 years – including 46 million appointments in 2023 – and we are on pace to break that record again this year.
While VA continues to provide full access to community care, VA care is proven to be the best care in America for Veterans by peer reviewed studies, hospital ratings, and patient satisfaction surveys, so we are working to expand access to VA care whenever possible – because Veterans who come to VA have better health outcomes. That's why VA Western New York Health System (VAWNYHS) has health care locations in the eight counties served by VAWNYHS - Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming with Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC) in Dunkirk, Jamestown, Lockport, Niagara Falls, Olean, Packard, Springville, and West Seneca.
Because of this – along with VA’s recent efforts to increase access to care – some Veterans may find that they are no longer eligible for community care, by law, due to increased access to VA care. Wait times for mental health care in VA have also improved, meaning that Veterans can often get sooner and better care from VA than in the community.
When Veterans transition from community care to VA care, we always seek to make that transition for them as seamless as possible – and we are here to help. VA staff work to support Veterans through the entire process, from identifying the care need through scheduling and following up on any additional needs and medical documentation review. We are always here to work with any Veteran who needs additional support.
Right now, Veterans trust VA outpatient care at 91.8% – an all-time record high – and we continue to work to build trust with all those we serve. VA will continue to provide Veterans with the world-class care they deserve, whenever and wherever they need it.
