WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides care to more than 27,000 Veterans with spinal cord injuries and related disorders each year, making the department the largest healthcare system in the world providing lifelong spinal cord care.
But it's not always easy.
When a veteran files a claim for disability benefits, a medical exam may be necessary. If the nearest VA medical center cannot conduct the exam, a contract exam vendor is utilized.
The VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) in a recent report identified Americans with Disabilities Act and Occupational Safety and Health Administration violations at dozens of vendor clinics that OIG auditors surveyed.
"We did identify deficiencies at 113 of the 135 facilities we visited. Those deficiencies created needless burden and safety concerns for patients with mobility issues and those with spinal cord injuries and disorders," said Steve Bracci, VA OIG Director of Benefits Inspections, testifying Thursday before the House Veterans Affairs Committee.
Committee members made it clear they were not happy.
"A recent VA Inspector General report showed that a large number of contract exam facilities did not comply with federal disability law. In this day and age, that's unacceptable. VA must ensure that the veterans they serve have access to accessible and safe exam facilities," said Rep. Mike Bost (R-Illinois), the panel's chairman.
"Improving VA's infrastructure has long been a priority of mine. But the importance of this goal cannot be overstated when it comes to serving veterans with spinal cord injuries," said Rep. Mark Takano (D-California), the committee's ranking member.
The OIG report says that better oversight by the VA is needed.