John McCain unveiled the first platform of his Arizona Future Plan: Caring for our Veterans. The plan outlines action items that can help Arizona veterans immediately as well as long-term solutions to issues of denied and delayed care at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
SHORT-TERM
HEALTH CARE CHOICE FOR VETERANS
- Allow veterans seeking care at the VA to receive services for minor ailments without pre-authorization or copayment.
- Extend Arizona VA pharmacy hours to weekends, holidays and until 8pm during the week.
- Open the VA on nights and weekends so local providers in the community may provide care for veterans during off-hours.
- Allow pre-authorization through Tri-West.
EDUCATION AND OUTREACH OF VA CHOICE CARD
- Educate eligible veterans about the Choice card.
- Hold the VA accountable for full and effective implementation of the Choice Card.
REINTEGRATION PROGRAMS THROUGH PARTNERSHIP WITH VETERANS ASSOCIATIONS
- Partner with veterans organizations to provide reintegration services to returning veterans.
- Ensure proper implementation of the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention Act which provides increased mental health resources to prevent suicide.
- The Clay Hunt Act also forgive loans for mental health providers who serves veterans.
MOBILE OFFICE HOURS TO ASSIST ARIZONA VETERANS
- John McCain’s Senate office will continue to travel to across the state and host mobile office hours to help navigate issues with the VA.
- Senate staff will continue to meet with veterans experiencing difficulties with the VA.
LONG-TERM
GIVE ELIGIBLE VETERANS FREEDOM TO CHOOSE HEALTH CARE PROVIDER
- Allow all veterans eligible for VA health care universal choice for their health care by expanding the Choice Card.
ENSURE VA FOLLOWS “BEST PRACTICES”
- Require Arizona VA hospitals undergo peer review from the best in the health care industry.
- Allow VA management to expedite the removal of employees engaged in misconduct.
- Change pay structure to attract and maintain high-quality physicians. Decentralize VA authority.
FULL SPECTRUM MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
- Ensure mental health care services are available for the veteran from emergency to long-term care.
- Encourage the VA to partner with local medical specialists and veterans groups on suicide prevention.
- Provide mental health services to veterans outside of the traditional VA hospital setting.
