Underwood Urges VA Secretary Wilkie to Take Proactive Steps to Address Coronavirus

WASHINGTON— Following a House Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Robert Wilkie on the VA's FY 2021 budget priorities, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) urged Secretary Wilkie to conduct proactive risk communication to veterans in response to growing public health threats of the coronavirus in the United States. Earlier that day, Underwood questioned Secretary Wilkie on the current steps that VA and the Veterans Health Administration are taking to ensure veterans have the information they need to protect themselves and their families from the spread of coronavirus. In the letter, Underwood expressed concern at Secretary Wilkie's response that VA has not yet conducted any direct outreach regarding coronavirus.

"The Veterans Health Administration is the primary care provider for many of our nation's veterans, making the VA the trusted healthcare provider on which many veterans rely. We must leverage every resource available to ensure veterans receive the information they need to avoid exposure to COVID-19 and to prevent the disease from spreading to people in their home and community," Underwood wrote.

A copy of the letter can be found here and below.

February 27, 2020

The Honorable Robert Wilkie

Secretary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

810 Vermont Ave NW

Washington, DC 20420

Dear Secretary Wilkie:

Per our conversation at today's House Committee on Veterans' Affairs hearing, I am writing to urge you to conduct proactive risk communication to veterans in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has a critical role in ensuring the veterans it serves have the best information available to protect themselves and their families from contracting COVID-19. I was concerned by your response in today's hearing that VA has not yet conducted any direct outreach regarding COVID-19 to the patients who rely on VA healthcare. I urge you to work in coordination with public health agencies to proactively provide veterans with information on this emerging public health threat. As part of this response, VA must ensure its healthcare providers are trained to help patients understand how to reduce their risk of exposure to COVID-19, and what to do if they believe they have become infected, consistent with guidance developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Veterans Health Administration is the primary care provider for many of our nation's veterans, making the VA the trusted healthcare provider on which many veterans rely. We must leverage every resource available to ensure veterans receive the information they need to avoid exposure to COVID-19 and to prevent the disease from spreading to people in their home and community.

I ask that you please keep the Committee updated on these efforts as well as on any additional needs that may arise related to COVID-19 response, including additional personal protective equipment (PPE), drug supply, and provider training.

Sincerely,