Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff today pressed the VA Secretary to reduce staffing shortages at Atlanta’s VA Medical Center, which are driving up wait times and impacting veterans’ care.
In today’s U.S. Senate Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee hearing, Sen. Ossoff pressed Secretary Collins to fill open primary care positions within Atlanta’s VA to reduce wait times and ensure veterans can access the care and benefits they’ve earned.
A recent Inspector’s General report released June 12 found that there were 208 primary care vacancies at the Atlanta VA, including 67 providers, 42 registered nurses, 32 licensed practical nurses, 49 medical support assistants and 18 pharmacist positions short at the Atlanta VA.
“For years, the wait times at the VA Medical Center in Atlanta have been driven in large part by staffing shortages. I’ve heard it from the leadership there year after year,” Ranking Member Ossoff said. “What is your goal? The date that you’d like to bring the Atlanta VA up to full staffing, please.”
Sen. Ossoff asked Secretary Collins for a target date to bring the Atlanta VA to full staffing. After a discussion, the Secretary committed to working alongside Sen. Ossoff and the Subcommittee to identify a goal timeline to fill positions.
Click here to watch Sen. Ossoff’s line of questioning about the Atlanta VA.
