The problems at the VA have gone on too long. Veterans need solutions, not excuses.

In 1865, President Abraham Lincoln addressed a divided nation and spoke these words which would become the Department of Veterans Affairs motto: "(L)et us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan [1]."

Today the VA is plagued with systemic problems, repeated scandals, dilapidating infrastructure, and poor health care service to the nine million veterans under its charge. In 2013, more than half a million veterans' applications for disability benefits were backlogged. In 2014, veterans died waiting for care while VA facilities falsified wait times, and veterans seeking help through the suicide prevention hotline were passed off to unqualified third parties [2] [3].

VA Secretary David Shulkin recently identified more than 30 VA facilities where veterans must wait at least 60 days before receiving any care. He also found that "one in 10 time sensitive appointments were not booked within time frames recommended by health care providers." Secretary Shulkin called these issues "chronic problems" and admitted that they "have harmed veterans and their families [4]."

That is a far cry from the motto spoken by Abraham Lincoln, and it is completely unacceptable for our veterans. The brave men and women who served in the military put their lives at risk to protect our country, and back here at home they have to keep fighting just to get decent medical care.

This cannot be allowed to go on any longer. Our veterans deserve the very best care available. President Trump has promised to fix the VA and make our veterans a priority, but little progress has been made so far. It's time to fix these problems once and for all.

Sign the Petition to make your voice heard that the VA needs fixing now, and that President Trump and his administration need to be held accountable to giving our veterans the care they deserve!