| Support Letter for HR.808 which recognizes that staffing shortages and vacancies in the VA health care system including critical position like patient advocates can hamper the ability of veterans who rely on the VA to overcome barriers to accessing the care they need and deserve. The VHA has designated patient advocates to each VA medical center to receive and document feedback from veterans or their representatives including requests for information compliments complains and assist with clinical appeals. Given concerns in recent with VHA's ability to provide veterans timely access to health care the importance of a strong patient advocacy program has taken on new significance. HR. 808 would direct VAMC directors to ensure there is no fewer than one patient advocate for every 13500 enrolled veterans. Additionally it would also address the need for highly rural veterans to have access to the services of patient advocates assigned to rural community-based outpatient clinics. |