Michael Cohen, a veteran with 22 years of service in the Air Force, has been struggling with PTSD and other mental health issues. He sought help from the local Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facility but found the experience counterproductive and ineffective. Frustrated, he decided to pay out-of-pocket for private care through community care, a program designed for eligible veterans to receive care from community providers when the VA cannot meet their needs.
Cohen’s request for community care was recently denied, forcing him to discontinue treatment with his private therapist. Jessica Carillo, a former Air Force staff sergeant, faced a similar situation when her community care referral was canceled in January. These veterans, along with many others, have been left in limbo, unable to access the specialized mental health care they need.
Rep. Brian Mast, a former Army bomb technician who represents the Palm Beach area, has received over 70 complaints from veterans and their families regarding the VA’s refusal to authorize community care. He warns that this interruption in care can have devastating consequences, especially for those with mental health conditions.
The VA denies any changes in policy or budget cuts for community care. They claim that veterans still qualify for referrals but may no longer meet the eligibility criteria due to the expansion of VA facilities and the hiring of more doctors in Florida. However, veterans dispute the VA’s view of its quality of care, citing long wait times, inadequate services, and ineffective communication.
Dr. Sarah Coleman, a private therapist who works with veterans, emphasizes the importance of continuity of care for those with PTSD. She fears that the VA’s decision to terminate community care referrals will discourage veterans from seeking treatment and potentially lead to self-harm.
The suicide rate among veterans is 1.5 times higher than that of the general population, and Coleman is concerned that this denial of care could worsen the situation. She urges the VA to reconsider its policy and allow veterans to receive the care they need to live healthy and productive lives.
Rep. Mast has requested an investigation into this matter by the House Veterans Affairs Committee, emphasizing Congress’s responsibility to ensure that the VA puts veterans first and fulfills its promise to care for those who have served the country.
