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Mr. Chairman, if the VIST program did not
embrace the concepts currently being implemented in VHA and did
not have a proven record of accomplishment, we could understand
the attempts to either curtail or eliminate this program. Again,
we are painfully aware of the necessity to identify cost savings.
Once again, we reiterate that the VIST program is not the
place to cut. This program provides a blinded veteran with access
to essential services such as preventive primary care that can
be scheduled by the medical center, thus controlling workload.
The absence of such workload management will certainly result
in blinded veterans appearing in the emergency room with acute
episodes that are much more costly to treat. Additionally, the
availability of the full continuum of service available throughout
the VIST clearly enhances the blinded veteran’s opportunity
to maximize his or her level of independent functioning. History
demonstrates that a blinded veteran’s ability to receive
quality health care, essential information about his or her blindness,
access to comprehensive blind rehabilitation, the latest in prosthetic
devices for the blind, a comprehensive review of VA disability
rating and community resources enables him or her to lead a more
meaningful and productive life.
Achieving cost efficiencies in the delivery
of health care service is directly contingent upon providing the
right care in the right place at the right time. Who better to
direct the blinded veteran to the most appropriate service to
address his or her needs than the VIST Coordinator?
Another tool the VIST Coordinator utilizes
to assist blinded veterans in their adjustment to sight loss is
support groups. These are gatherings that consist of other blinded
veterans struggling with the same kind of adjustment issues, negative
feelings, and problems within their families and communities.
Special knowledge and expertise are required to conduct such a
focused therapeutic group. There is an attitude that exists at
certain facilities that blinded veterans are no different than
any other veteran seeking care and do not require specialized
services or care managers. This attitude is completely unacceptable
and is not compatible with highly proclaimed customer satisfaction.
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