El Paso VA Announces Major Health Care Reforms
The Veterans Affairs Department in El Paso is implementing what could become a national model of reform for its overburdened health care system.
The plan is for the VA hospital to focus primarily on specialized care unique to the military while outsourcing basic care to private providers.
"Think of post traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury or military sexual trauma," said U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke of El Paso, who helped push for these changes. "Things that you typically don't see in the general civilian population."
When it comes to treating the flu, diabetes or dental care the VA will partner with local doctors, clinics and hospitals. Numerous providers have already committed, including Texas Tech University's medical branch in El Paso. The school will also add eight new VA medical residents with help from VA grant money.
One thousand veterans have already signed up for a virtual database that will share their medical records with outside providers. The local VA plans to hire staff to help veterans manage their health care and ensure appoints are kept and prescriptions aren't dropped. It will also expand veteran access to telehealth services.
Some 80,000 veterans live in El Paso which is also home to Fort Bliss military base.
Gail Graham, acting VA director in El Paso, said the biggest challenge they face is recruitment. There are currently 18 vacancies in their mental health department out of a staff of 116.
Last year a survey conducted by O'Rourke's office found veterans were waiting an average of 70-80 days for an appointment.
Martha Zamora has run foster care homes for adults in El Paso for the last 20 years. On Tuesday she was accompanying a client with dementia to the VA. She said things are getting better.
"I see a lot of changes in the VA, positive changes," Zamora said. "Personally I haven't had any issues with getting an appointment within 30 days."
In an interview with Federal News Radio, VA Undersecretary of Health David Shulkin described a reform plan very similar to the one underway in El Paso. That plan will be discussed at a congressional hearing next week.
