The Department of Veterans Affairs' internal watchdog released a report on Monday that criticized the agency's suicide crisis hotline for long wait times and poor performance that "sometimes leaves veterans on hold so long that they simply hang up." Many of the problems were first identified during a similar investigation by the agency watchdog more than a year ago but still remain unaddressed.
From the Wall Street Journal:
The suicide-prevention line, first established in 2007, has strained under skyrocketing demand for its services with call volume going up 700% since its inception. A watchdog investigation into the hotline in February 2016 found a wide variety of problems. The VA said it would fix all those problems by September 2016.
According to the investigation released Monday, none of those problems had been adequately addressed.
“It's unacceptable that the issues with the Veterans Crisis Line have still not been addressed, and I hope Secretary Shulkin will take immediate steps to correct these serious shortcomings,” said Rep. Phil Roe (R., Tenn.), chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs in a statement. “I am extremely frustrated by the OIG's findings and will continue to conduct oversight.”
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