A year after the VA scandal, the number of patients facing long wait times hasn't decreased
A year ago, a scandal erupted for the Department of Veterans Affairs when it was discovered that patients were subject to extremely long wait times at VA hospitals. But a new report has found that despite VA reforms, patients are still facing long waits.
The Associated Press reports that since last summer, the number of medical appointments that were delayed between 30 and 90 days has stayed the same. And it gets even worse: The number of appointments taking longer than 90 days to complete "has nearly doubled," AP notes.
One out of every 36 patient visits to VA medical facilities were delayed for at least a month, according to AP. Almost 894,000 appointments didn't meet the VA's timeliness goal for patients to be seen within 30 days.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Most of the 75 VA facilities with major delays are in the South, while few clinics in the Northeast, Midwest, and Pacific Coast saw delays. "The analysis reveals stark differences between the haves and have-nots," AP reports.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Meghan DeMaria is a staff writer at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked for USA Today and Marie Claire.
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published