releases: http://roby.house.gov/press-release/va-mental-health-wait-times-worsen-central-alabama
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| http://roby.house.gov/press-release/va-mental-health-wait-times-worsen-central-alabama | VA Mental Health Wait Times Worsen in Central Alabama | 2014-12-01 | 2014 | 2014-12 | Republican | House | AL | Martha Roby | R000591 | roby.house.gov | legacy | MONTGOMERY, Ala. - New data from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs shows the already-long wait times for veterans seeking mental health services has gotten worse in Central Alabama. New veteran patients seeking mental health care must wait an average of 67 days, up from the 56 day average reported in May. Such a digression represents a disservice to veterans and a serious public safety issue, U.S. Representative Martha Roby (R-AL) said. “The latest data shows we still have a major problem with mental health services at the Central Alabama VA, and it is actually getting worse,” Rep. Roby said. “I hope people understand how serious a problem it is for veterans in need of mental health care to have to wait more than two months for an appointment. That is obviously a disservice to veterans, but it is also a major public safety issue for Central Alabama. To think that a soldier returning from Afghanistan with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder has to wait two months for an appointment to get care he needs and deserves – it's a disgrace. “We know it's going to take time to fully reform the VA, but we should not be moving in the wrong direction.” Rep. Roby has long advocated for greater utilization of the outside health providers to cut down on wait times at the VA. The VA reform law passed this summer included specific requirements and funding for VA medical centers to refer patients to outside providers when demand exceeds capacity. “We passed a law that gave veterans forced to wait more than 30 days for an appointment guaranteed access to outside care. So, I want to know how many mental health patients CAVHCS has referred to outside providers in light of these numbers.” Data showing the 67-day average wait time for new mental health patients at the Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System is available here: https://www.va.gov/HEALTH/docs/pending_access_data_using_CD_and_DD_11202014.pdf The June report, which includes the May wait time average of 56 days, is available here: https://www.va.gov/health/docs/VISN7FACTSHEET140609.pdf. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |