Colorado Springs VA clinic has worst wait times in state

El Paso County has the biggest concentration of veterans in Colorado, but government statistics show that its VA clinic ranks near the bottom nationwide at getting them in for health care within 30 days.

Jonathan Smith, who served in the Army for nearly 10 years, including three deployments to Iraq, said he’s had trouble scheduling appointments at the VA clinic since he’s been home.

“I’ve had three appointments with them and all three appointments were canceled,” Smith said. “Now we’re going downtown to seek treatment, and all of our bills are stacking up.”

Statistics reviewed by The Associated Press showed more than 10 percent of the appointments at the clinic from Sept. 1 to Feb. 28 took at least 31 days to schedule, missing the Department of Veterans Affairs’ timeliness goal.

That’s the highest in the state and the 12th highest out of 940 veterans outpatient clinics and hospitals reviewed nationwide.

Smith said he hopes other veterans will make their voices heard.

“Coming out of the military, you know, fighting for the country, we never expected to have to fight for our own lives, fight for our own health care,” he said. “Without veterans standing up for our rights, nothing’s ever going to get done.”

Veterans have an option to receive health care outside of the VA through the Choice Program, but Smith said he’s not eligible.

“None of us who live within 40 miles of a VA clinic can qualify for the Choice Program,” he said.

VA spokesman Dan Warvi said the Colorado Springs clinic is feeling the effects of a wave of veterans from the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.

He said veterans are also part of a general population influx.