Since 2014, The Times reported, the number of veterans waiting longer than 30 days increased by nearly 50 percent and the number who must wait more than three months more than doubled.

"According to the agency’s most recent data, 526,000 veterans are waiting more than a month for care. And about 88,000 of them are waiting more than three months," according to the story.

A 15-member Commission on Care formed by Congress as part of the reform law to study the VA health care system issued its report in July, identifying "many profound deficiencies" requiring "urgent reform."

"America's veterans deserve a better-organized, high-performing health care system," the commission's report concludes.

Simply put, this is unacceptable. Veterans should get more from the nation they served in uniform.

Again today, we stress the fact we do not indict all of the VA. As we have said before, we respect those dedicated VA employees who each day approach their duties - and the fundamental obligation we have as a country - with a full measure of honesty and integrity and who properly honor America's veterans with the high quality of service they deserve.