Time has proven that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is the best provider of care for veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D). It is essential that leaders in Washington, DC know this so they can ensure the VA's SCI/D system of care is protected. In recent years, we have seen cracks begin to develop in the system as it struggles with numerous clinical vacancies and infrastructure deficiencies that compromise veterans' care. We need to reverse these trends.
Join PVA National President Robert Thomas by signing your name to ensure Congress and the Administration know that its SCI/D system of care is necessary for the health of paralyzed veterans and is an essential part of the VA system. Our goal is to uplift your voice with the petition when President Thomas testifies before a Joint Session of the House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees this spring.
I urge you to oppose dismantling the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Spinal Cord Injuries and Disorders (SCI/D) system of care, as veterans overwhelmingly prefer to receive their care at the VA and community providers are not equipped to adequately meet their needs. Veterans with an SCI/D tend to have complex medical needs, resulting in a need to see a multitude of medical specialists in a variety of different fields. The cohesive medical care provided by the VA medical system ensures that veterans can receive the care they need in one place. It also alleviates the often burdensome need to forward their complex medical history from one specialist to another to ensure their complex cases are fully cared for.
The VA’s SCI/D system is the crown jewel of its health care system. The VA’s integrated approach enhances continuity of care and fosters trust among veterans, who value the specialized services tailored to their unique needs. The failure in recent years to properly fund, staff, and invest in the system’s infrastructure is slowly dismantling the SCI/D system of care, leaving paralyzed veterans with inferior care options in the community. The United States government must affirm its commitment to those who served, particularly those with the most significant disabilities, and ensure they receive the best possible care where they feel safe and comfortable.