WASHINGTON, Dec. 4 -- Sen. Richard Blumenthal issued text of the following press release:
At a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing yesterday, Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal questioned witnesses on reports of significant mental health staffing shortages across the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
"Dr. Fletcher, to what extent have waiting times for mental health appointments been due to diminished staff?" asked Blumenthal.
"What we've heard from the warriors we've served is they are experiencing access to care difficulties and that can create problems," said Dr. Erin Fletcher, Warrior Care Network director for Wounded Warrior Project.
The VA Office of Inspector General's witness, Dr. Julie Kroviak, the Acting Assistant Insp...