Metro East Sun

Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa), Chairwoman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health, addressed concerns about prosthetics care for veteran amputees during a subcommittee oversight hearing titled "Life After Limb Loss: Examining VA Amputee Prosthetics Care." In her opening remarks, she highlighted significant issues within the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) Amputation System of Care.

Miller-Meeks expressed concern over the improper cancellation of thousands of prosthetic orders at the Rocky Mountain VA Medical Center in Colorado. She stated, "As a clinician I was appalled this could happen, and it is clearly unacceptable!" She also criticized the VA's budgeting practices, noting that a claimed budget shortfall related to prosthetics costs was exaggerated.

"Prosthetics care is essential to the bedrock of VA’s mission," Miller-Meeks emphasized. She noted that each year, approximately 9,500 new amputations occur due to vascular diseases or diabetes, with many veterans requiring high-quality care and advances in research to meet their evolving needs.

The hearing also addressed delays in veterans receiving prosthetic devices. Miller-Meeks shared an example of a veteran who waited over a year for a functional prosthetic leg. "Veterans depend on these devices for their daily lives," she said, describing such delays as unacceptable.

Challenges such as understaffing and bureaucratic inefficiencies were identified as contributing factors to these delays. Miller-Meeks attributed some responsibility to "the Biden-Harris administration’s poor leadership and staffing decisions."

To address these issues, Miller-Meeks introduced H.R. 9478, known as the Veterans Supporting Prosthetics Opportunities and Recreational Therapy Act or the Veterans SPORT Act. This bill aims to ensure adaptive prostheses are defined as clinically necessary for veterans with limb loss.

"I am committed to working with VA to ensure we provide our veterans with the timely, high-quality prosthetic care they deserve," she concluded.

The hearing continued with witness testimonies and discussions aimed at finding solutions for improving prosthetic care for veterans.