VA secretary: Wait times ‘getting better’ for veterans

Wait times at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities are getting better, VA Secretary David Shulkin said Monday. 

“We’re focused on wait times, and things are getting better around the country,” Shulkin said in an interview on Fox. 

“Where there still are wait time problems, we’re laser-focused to make sure that no veterans are waiting for care.” 

{mosads}Shulkin said the wait problems are due to “years and years of neglect.”

The VA is consulting the private industry on “best practices” to make sure veterans have “the best care,” he said. 

There are wide variations in wait times at facilities across the U.S., according to new data posted online by the VA. 

For example, as of Feb. 28, it took an average of one to 16 days for veterans at facilities within 50 miles of D.C. to get mental healthcare.