JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Rep. Corrine Brown said the Veterans Affairs Choice program is not working and changes are on the way.
Congress created the program to reduce wait times for veterans by allowing them to go outside the VA system to see any doctor who signs up.
Action News Jax caught up with Brown after she addressed the annual convention of Paralyzed Veterans of America on Friday morning in downtown Jacksonville.
“It’s going to be expensive, but if you’re going to call it a ‘choice act,’ it has to be between viable choices, not simply on paper calling it choice,” said PVA Executive Director Sherman Gillums.
Veterans tell Action News Jax they’re waiting longer for appointments, and doctors complain of long waits to get authorizations.
Some doctors are even leaving the VA Choice program because of the bureaucracy.
Brown is the ranking member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
When Action News Jax spoke to her in February, she wouldn’t say there was a problem.
On Friday, she had a very different response.
“Let me tell you something. We made them pull it out -- roll it out -- too quickly. And it is not working as it should work,” said Brown.
She said to expect some fixes on Monday on the House floor, to cut down on red tape.
“If I refer someone to a doctor, I’ve got to get the paperwork back before I reimburse them. If I refer you, then I should be able to get prompt pay. And we should be able to do it in 30 days or 10 days, just like any other – Medicare, or Medicaid or any other group,” said Brown.
She wanted veterans to know she’s working hard for them, despite all the distractions of her redistricting fight, the federal subpoena she has received and the multiple investigations into her actions.
She said the past few months have been “hell.”
Brown got defensive when Action News Jax asked her about the charity One Door for Education.
The director of that charity, Carla Wiley, pleaded guilty to wire fraud earlier this year.
She implicated two others in a scheme to use money donated to the charity for personal use.
One of those implicated is a public official and may be Brown, who promoted the charity for years.
On Friday, Brown denied knowing who Wiley was.
“Who? I don’t know who that is,” said Brown. “Listen, let’s be clear. If you’re talking about HUD, that’s fine. If you’re talking about VA, that’s fine. But don’t discuss local gossip with me.”
When Action News Jax continued to press her, she responded, “Uh-huh. Yes. OK. Thank you,” and then walked away.
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.@RepCorrineBrown addressing Paralyzed #Veterans of America annual convention now in downtown #Jax @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/4IEjDEVLW9
— Jenna Bourne (@jennabourneWTSP) May 20, 2016
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