Washington – Veterans in Colorado need better access to health care, particularly mental health services, activists told Colorado congressional delegation members Tuesday.
As more veterans returning from Iraq suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries, the need for immediate care is crucial.
“It can’t be hundreds of miles away,” said Marvin Meyers, legislative co-chair with United Veterans Committee of Colorado.
Activists voiced their concerns during a conference call with U.S. Reps. Mark Udall, D-Eldorado Springs; Doug Lamborn, R-Colorado Springs; and John Salazar, D-Manassa. Aides to U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter, D-Golden, and U.S. Sens. Wayne Allard, a Republican, and Ken Salazar, a Democrat, also were on the call.
Udall and John Salazar, who is on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, want to look for ways to use Department of Veterans Affairs resources to better serve rural veterans, Udall chief of staff Alan Salazar said.
The call with veterans groups came as Congress reacts to a Washington Post series exposing poor living conditions and bureaucratic backlogs at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. That facility is run by the Department of Defense.
VA Secretary Jim Nicholson has asked all veterans facilities to report on their conditions by today. The results won’t be immediately available.
In Colorado, there are two veterans hospitals, three nursing homes, three veterans centers and 11 outpatient clinics.
Activists said they weren’t aware of the kind of problems in Colorado that were seen at Walter Reed, including mold and rodents. But they said Colorado veterans often can’t get the help they need.
Patients in rural areas now must travel several hours to see doctors, Meyers said. Veterans would be better served if the VA contracted more with local providers, he added.
The VA does sometimes contract for services, but prefers that patients use VA facilities to ensure continuity of care, said Christina White, spokeswoman for the VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System.
John Salazar is asking Nicholson to construct a community-based veterans clinic in Craig. Allard has asked for a new veterans clinic in Yuma or Burlington.
Staff writer Anne C. Mulkern can be reached at 202-662-8907 or amulkern@denverpost.com.
