Dennis Wagner

The Republic | azcentral.com

Arizona Sen. John McCain unveiled a new action plan for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs at a Monday town hall in Phoenix, declaring that after nearly two years of reform efforts "our veterans still have not gotten the care they need and deserve."

The Republican senator's new initiative calls for the VA Choice Card — which allows some patients to obtain private care at the department's expense — to be made universal and permanent.

In the aftermath of a 2014 scandal over delayed care for veterans, the Choice Cards were authorized by Congress for use by veterans stuck on months-long wait lists for VA doctor appointments, and by those who lived more than 40 miles from a veterans hospital or clinic. McCain said those limitations should be dissolved so all veterans can get care from non-VA providers. He also ripped the federal agency for failing to educate employees and veterans so they can take advantage of the existing Choice Card.

"The question remains: Is the VA getting better?'" McCain said. "Veterans who try to access the Choice Card complain they have to wait hours on hold with the VA call center just to reach someone knowledgeable about the program."

McCain said he invited Phoenix VA Health Care System Director Deborah Amdur to take part in the town hall, but she did not show. "She accepted, and then a couple days ago she called and said she was declining," McCain said. "I can't explain it."

An emailed statement from Paul Coupaud, public affairs officer for the Phoenix VA, suggested Amdur was concerned about the nature of the event and the possibility it would violate the Hatch Act, which prohibits certain political activities by federal workers. She thanked McCain for his interest in veterans' health care.

"While she appreciates his efforts in this regard, she must be cognizant of the potential perception her appearance could create during an election year," Coupaud wrote. McCain is running for re-election this year.

McCain stressed at the town hall that his reform plan includes new legislation that would enable the VA to more easily demote or fire senior executives who violate the law or department policies. It also calls for improved training and performance evaluations.

Other provisions in the Care Veterans Deserve plan would:

Allow all veterans eligible for VA care to use walk-in clinics without pre-authorization or co-payments.

Keep VA medical facilities open nights and weekends, and invite private health-care workers to volunteer during those hours.

Subject Arizona VA hospitals to peer reviews from the Mayo Clinic or other private health-care experts.

Change the VA's pay structure to retain top physicians.

Nearly 100 people attended the event. Most of those who spoke complained about struggles to obtain VA care or benefits. Most of them asked questions such as "How long do I have to be in pain?" and "What's being done to fix things?"

McCain stressed that there have been improvements. But he said changing the VA bureaucracy is difficult — "like kicking a sponge" or "turning one of those oil tankers around" in mid-ocean.

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