Long waits for medical care persist at Illinois veteran’s hospitals.
That’s despite efforts to hire more doctors, open more clinics and allow some patients to see private practice physicians as an alternative.
An Associated Press review of government data finds nearly 20,000 medical appointments completed at the state's five major VA centers from September through February failed to meet the health system's timeliness goal. They call for patients to be seen within a month.
The AP examined waiting times at 940 VA hospitals and outpatient clinics nationwide.
Sixty-one percent of those delayed appointments were scheduled at the Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital outside of Chicago. The facility's long-time director retired in October amid allegations of misconduct.
