• Facebook
  • Google Plus
  • RSS Feed
  • Twitter

Menu

Skip to content
  • About
  • Staff
  • Contact
  • Support
  • Advertise
  • FAQ
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
Header image

Times of San DiegoLogo

Local News and Opinion for San Diego

Menu

Skip to content
  • All
  • Politics
  • Crime
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Education
  • Arts
  • Military
  • Tech
  • Life
  • Opinion
Search Thousands of San Diego Jobs
  • 'Widespread HIGH Winds!' Seen as Santa Anas Loom, Boosting Fire Danger
  • Lamont Jackson Chosen Interim SD Unified Superintendent When Marten Leaves
  • Opinion: Despite Right-Wing Lies, California Democrats Overreach Calling Newsom Recall a 'Coup'
  • San Diego County Expands COVID Vaccinations to Residents Aged 75 and Up
  • San Diego Caregiver Launches Podcast to Provide Support, Connection

Home » Politics » This Article

Vets Able to Get Timely Doctors Visits in San Diego, Local VA Says

Posted by Jennifer Vigil on May 22, 2014 in Politics | 62 Views
| Comments | Leave a Comment
Share This Article:
Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmail

An audit of the Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System found it is operating in compliance with agency standards for patient scheduling, VA officials said Thursday.

Support Times of San Diego's growth
with a small monthly contribution

Become a supporter

The findings came from a review conducted last week in the aftermath of allegations that as many as 40 veterans in Phoenix died while awaiting care. Representatives from other VA medical centers performed the audit, according to VA San Diego spokeswoman Cynthia Butler.

A separate investigation underway into scheduling practices at 26 VA facilities does not include San Diego, according to local officials. The probe is being conducted by the Office of the Inspector General.

In a statement, the VA San Diego Healthcare System said it “prides itself in being the only healthcare organization in the area dedicated to providing high quality, timely care to veterans in San Diego and Imperial counties.”

“As evidenced by the results of a recent external scheduling review, VA San Diego Healthcare System consistently schedules patients in compliance with national Veteran Health Administration standards,” the statement said. “Nine out of 10 of our scheduling clerks are veterans themselves and  have been trained on proper scheduling practices and are audited at least monthly to ensure compliance.”

According to the statement, the majority of new patients are seen within 14 days, with all new patients seen within three months of the date of enrollment. More than 99 percent of existing primary care patients and 98 percent of specialty care patients are seen within 14 days of their desired appointment date, the statement said.

President Barack Obama said Wednesday that he sent Deputy Chief of Staff Rob Nabors to Phoenix to oversee the investigation. He has stood by Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki, despite calls for him to resign.

In San Diego, congressional candidate Carl DeMaio called for Shinseki to step down. He called for “swift and immediate action” to ensure the health and well-being of veterans.

His opponent, incumbent Rep. Scott Peters, D-San Diego, voted in favor of a bill this week that would give the VA secretary more flexibility over the employment status of senior executives. He praised the local VA  operation.

 “Thankfully, San Diego’s VA centers have performed better than most and the backlog of benefits claims has been significantly reduced in our region,” he said.

He said the demand for VA services is increasing as servicemen transition into civilian life and that Congress needs to provide the agency with adequate resources.

– City News Service

Vets Able to Get Timely Doctors Visits in San Diego, Local VA Says was last modified: May 22nd, 2014 by Jennifer Vigil

>> Subscribe to Times of San Diego’s free daily email newsletter! Click here

Follow Us:
Facebooktwitterrss
Posted in Politics | Tagged Carl DeMaio, San Diego veterans, Scott Peters, Veterans Affairs
Search Thousands of San Diego Jobs

Get Times of San Diego by Email

Our free newsletter is delivered at 8 a.m. daily.


Most Popular Today

  • San Diego County Expands COVID Vaccinations to Residents Aged 75 and Up San Diego County Expands COVID Vaccinations to Residents Aged 75 and Up 1,650 views
  • Biden Picks San Diego Unified's Cindy Marten for Federal Education Post Biden Picks San Diego Unified’s Cindy Marten for Federal Education Post 1,030 views
  • El Cajon Resident Reportedly Suffering Medical Emergency Dies After 1-8 Crash El Cajon Resident Reportedly Suffering Medical Emergency Dies After 1-8 Crash 990 views
  • Arson Suspected as Early-Morning Fire Destroys Room at Mission Bay Drive Hotel Arson Suspected as Early-Morning Fire Destroys Room at Mission Bay Drive Hotel 830 views
  • Allergic Reactions to Moderna COVID Vaccine at Petco Park Prompt State Action Allergic Reactions to Moderna COVID Vaccine at Petco Park Prompt State Action 640 views

©®2021 Times of San Diego LLC

Menu

  • About
  • Staff
  • Contact
  • Support
  • Advertise
  • FAQ
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service