Congressman Crow, Bipartisan Colorado Delegation Call for VA Action to Address VA Eastern Colorado Staff Concerns and Provide Quality Care for Veterans

AURORA — Today, Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO-06), veteran, joined by Colorado Representatives Diana DeGette (D-CO-01), Joe Neguse (D-CO-02), Lauren Boebert (R-CO-03), Ken Buck (R-CO-04), Doug Lamborn (R-CO-05), Brittany Pettersen (D-CO-07), and Yadira Caraveo (D-CO-08), sent a letter to US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary McDonough urging action to address serious concerns reported by Veterans Affairs Eastern Colorado Health Care System (VA ECHCS) employees, including staffing shortages, safety risks, and the direction of hospital leadership. This follows Congressman Crow’s previous letter about troubling information that has come to light regarding staffing shortages, staff morale, and mismanagement of the prosthetics department at Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center – the state’s largest VA hospital in Colorado’s 6th District.  

Despite current efforts following the reassignment of VA ECHCS leadership in October of 2023, concerns continue to grow over mismanagement, unsafe conditions, and a toxic hospital culture impacting both staff and the veterans VA has committed to serving. Members in today’s letter highlight the critical need for VA ECHCS hospital leadership to listen to frontline voices and ensure their wellbeing while delivering the quality care Colorado veterans and their families are promised. 

“In response to concerning reports of mismanagement and the toxic culture that persisted at VA ECHCS, new leadership was brought in as previous leadership was detailed out,” wrote the Members. "...While staff have expressed they feel optimistic under Interim Director Moore’s leadership, they are rightfully concerned about the future direction of hospital leadership.” 

“As you move forward in determining the next steps for VA ECHCS, we urge you to ensure VA is hearing staff concerns. These nurses, doctors, specialists, and other staff members dedicate their lives to serving veterans, and it is imperative that they work in an environment that prioritizes their safety as well as their physical and mental wellbeing,” they continued. 

A former Army Ranger, Congressman Crow has been dedicated to fighting for those who fought for us in Colorado and across the nation. Alongside conducting critical oversight of the VA to enhance quality care provided to veterans, Crow recently reintroduced the bipartisan Veterans Sentinel Act aimed at improving the VA's response to veterans' suicide, led efforts creating the easy to remember 9-8-8 Veterans Crisis Line, and championed the PACT Act – the largest expansion of veterans' health benefits in US history. 

Colorado’s 6th District is home to over 35,000 veterans.

A PDF of the letter can be found here, with text appearing below:

March 1, 2024 

Dear Secretary McDonough, 

We are writing to you today to raise additional concerns we have received from staff regarding the Veterans Affairs Eastern Colorado Health Care System (VA ECHCS) in Aurora, Colorado.

We have appreciated the open flow of information from VHA Under Secretary Elnahal thus far, and the immediate response by VA leaders to address the concerns voiced by VA employees since the reassignment of the Director and Chief of Staff at VA ECHCS at the end of October 2023. 

We have received reports concerning hospital culture, mismanagement of departments, and other practices that directly affect staff and the veterans VA has promised to serve. We understand there are a number of investigations ongoing and respect the time needed for those to conclude. In response to concerning reports of mismanagement and the toxic culture that persisted at VA ECHCS, new leadership was brought in as previous leadership was detailed out. While staff have expressed they feel optimistic under Interim Director Moore’s leadership, they are rightfully concerned about the future direction of hospital leadership. 

Hiring rates and filling vacancies remain a challenge within VA, but sufficient staffing coverage ensures the safety of nurses and staff. Additionally, workplace violence remains an immense concern for employees. Just recently, two nurses received injuries as a result of a violent patient in the Psychiatric Unit at VA ECHCS. They claim short staffing is increasing the likelihood for workplace violence to occur. 

As you move forward in determining the next steps for VA ECHCS, we urge you to ensure VA is hearing staff concerns. These nurses, doctors, specialists, and other staff members dedicate their lives to serving veterans, and it is imperative that they work in an environment that prioritizes their safety as well as their physical and mental wellbeing. 

Thank you for your communication with us and commitment to ensuring our veterans get the care they deserve, and staff are supported. We urge you to consider the concerns outlined above in your final review and decision-making on the future direction of VA ECHCS. 

Sincerely,