NAVAPD Provides Support for VA Medical Center Security Act of 2023
Safety and security of staff and veterans is a concern among VA medical centers. Frequently, acts of violence occur. These acts of violence may be between veterans, between veterans and staff, or between staff members. On occasion these acts of violence have resulted in fatalities, including self-inflicted fatalities.
NAVAPD firmly believes that our members and the veterans we serve, deserve, and are entitled to, healthcare delivered in a secure, safe environment. No veteran, staff member, physician, or dentist, should ever feel afraid to come into or near a VA medical facility.
Currently, Senators Moran and Blumenthal have introduced a bill into the Senate that would direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Comptroller General of the United States to submit reports regarding security and safety at medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs. This bill is commonly known as the “VA Medical Center Security Report Act of 2023”.
A key provision of the Act would require VA to conduct an annual survey of “covered entities”. (Essentially for the purpose of this Act, “covered entities” are VA Police Officers, Police Chiefs, VISN Lead Police Officers, Medical Center Directors). The survey would elicit information regarding the type and frequency of criminal activity at VA medical centers during the previous year; the number of vacant police officer positions at each medical center and how long those positions have been vacant; the availability, functionality, durability and training necessary on equipment essential for VA police officers; the type and adequacy of training in law enforcement tactics and skills; an assessment of any security weaknesses; the relationship between VA police officers and local law enforcement officers; and recommendations to better address criminal activity at or in near proximity to VA Medical Centers.
The Act requires that this data be complied and reported to the House and Senate Committees on Veterans’ Affairs, along with the VA’s response, and plan of action, with measurable goals, to address the security weaknesses identified in the annual survey. It also required the Comptroller General of the United States to assess the physical and organizational challenges that must be overcome to ensure patient and staff safety; protocols needed to mitigate risks from aging infrastructure, and the emergence of new potential threats. The Comptroller General must also address the policies and progress made to ensure the privacy, safety and dignity of woman veterans who receive care at VA.
NAVAPD was provided with a copy of the proposed legislation by Senators Moran and Blumenthal and asked to provide commentary and support for this proposed bill. Because the NAVAPD Board sees safety and security of our members and veterans of paramount importance, the following statement in support of the bill was submitted to the Senators’ offices:
“The National Association of VA Physicians and Dentists (NAVAPD) understands the importance of, and is concerned with VA furnishing a secure, safe environment for all staff and veterans who enter VA facilities. NAVAPD strongly supports Senators Moran and Blumenthal’s bipartisan bill entitled "VA Medical Center Security Report Act of 2023." This legislation will allow VA to assess its security challenges and provide a more secure and safe environment by allotting VA Police the resources they need to keep VA safe for all veterans, staff and visitors.”