Lawmakers on Capitol Hill say they now want daily updates from the Department of Veterans Affairs on its coronavirus response and preparations to back up the American healthcare system if it becomes overwhelmed by COVID-19.
House Veterans Affairs Committee members, led by Chairman Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., and ranking member Rep. Phil Roe, R-Tenn., sent a letter to VA Secretary Robert Willkie on Wednesday asking for a list of information about VA's preparedness, including how many tests it has on hand and how many it has administered so far.
As of March 18, VA officials said at least 44 veterans tested positive for the coronavirus and one had died. VA said it had administered "over 322 tests nationwide." At least 17 VA employees also tested positive, officials said.
"Congress needs timely information to inform the veterans and the American people we serve, provide oversight of the VA's response to the pandemic, and ensure VA is resourced with the personnel, supplies, and infrastructure necessary during this national emergency," lawmakers wrote.
As the public health emergency evolves almost hourly, lawmakers said they needed to be informed so they could "act immediately" to assist veterans at greatest risk.
"We need reporting on what VHA, the nation's largest government healthcare system, is experiencing on the ground," they wrote.
Lawmakers said they want to know:
- How many COVID-19 tests VA has;
- How many veterans have been tested inside and outside VA;
- How many employees have been tested;
- Status of all test results, including how many have tested positive and where they're located;
- How long tests take;
- How VA is deciding which veterans and staff to test;
- Number of acute care or intensive care beds available, including how many are now being used for COVID-19 patients;
- Number of ventilators and how many are being used;
- Personal protective equipment supply levels;
- Number of negative pressure beds and how many are in use;
- Pharmaceutical supply levels;
- Current staffing levels, including how many employees are out of work because they are sick, tested positive or may have been exposed;
- The guidance given to VA employees and contractors who believe they or a family member may have been exposed.
Lawmakers also had more detailed requests for information, such as whether VA has created an internal task force to respond to the virus outbreak, what broader plans are as the outbreak continues, what money or resources the department may need moving forward and how benefits may be affected.
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Reach Abbie Bennett: abbie@connectingvets.com or @AbbieRBennett.
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