Yellowhammer Times

U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) questioned two nominees for senior positions in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Labor (DOL) during a Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs hearing this week. The discussion focused on improving care for veterans, particularly those living in rural areas, and increasing access to Community Care.

Senator Tuberville addressed John Bartrum, nominated for Under Secretary for Health at the VA, about communication challenges faced by veterans in rural Alabama. “Mr. Bartrum, one of the biggest complaints I hear about the VA healthcare services is communication. In my state of Alabama, we are very rural, and it’s a huge problem. If confirmed, how will you work with the Secretary in utilizing the new technology that we have for community service?” he asked.

Bartrum responded by emphasizing the importance of outreach to rural veterans and collaboration with veteran service organizations. “Thank you, sir. As you know—we talked a little bit about this when I met with you—rural veterans who live in the rural area are somewhere between 60-66% of our veterans. So, reaching out, and reaching to our veterans, and partnering with not only the VSOs and our service organizations that are out there, but using our technology that we have with our communication strategy, websites, and reaching out to folks with our provider network […] and community care partners is something that I wanna look into and work with you [to] partner on, and look at the strategies. I’m not steeped into what strategies VHA is using since I’m not in the role. But once I’m in the role, I would love to partner with you and bring back what we’re doing specifically and figure out how we can best reach out to our rural networks.”

The hearing also covered job placement support for transitioning service members. Tuberville asked Jeremiah Workman—nominated as Assistant Secretary for Training at DOL—about ensuring quality employment outcomes for veterans leaving active duty or reserve status.

“Mr. Workman, in your testimony, you highlighted the need for DOL vets to focus on outcomes and performances. If confirmed, how will you ensure veterans are not just a number, but instead placed in long-term, quality jobs?” Tuberville said.

Workman outlined his approach: “Thank you for the question, Senator. I think when it comes to our veterans and when they’re transitioning from that [active veteran status], it is important for us to capture them as they’re leaving the door in what we call the Transition Systems Program (TAP). I believe a lot of folks are falling through the cracks... Once out into small, wherever they go in America... They lose that support network. That’s where our American job centers come into play.”

Tuberville also referenced recent policy changes at VA regarding Community Care access: “Mr. Bartrum, in May, the VA announced the policy change that would make it easier for veterans to access Community Care when a VA doctor determines it is in their best medical interest. What’s your opinion on this announcement?”

Bartrum replied: “I thought it was the right announcement...when a veteran and their doctor says they need to go to a referral on the outside...that is enough to send them to the outside.”

The senator raised concerns about coordination between federal agencies such as DOD and VA regarding data sharing affecting veteran services: “It seems like we can’t get information from DOD to VA coordinated...We spent billions of dollars,” Tuberville said.

Workman acknowledged these issues based on his experience working within both agencies: “If confirmed...we need to tighten up communications across different departments… sometimes do not always have a seat at table…if confirmed…we will have a seat at table…”

Bartrum agreed more could be done: “I think we need to re-energize sharing agreements of data...do better job coordinating data [within] VHA & VBA…”

Senator Tuberville serves on several Senate committees including Armed Services; Agriculture; Veterans’ Affairs; HELP; and Aging.