Vindman, Kaine Meet with Veterans, Discuss Long Wait Times and Care Options at Fredericksburg VA Health Care Center

Fredericksburg, Va. - On Monday, August 24, Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) and Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.) hosted a roundtable with veterans from the community to discuss their experiences with the Fredericksburg VA Health Care Center. Vindman has repeatedly called for action from leadership at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to reduce wait times at this state-of-the-art facility.

"Veterans in Virginia's Seventh District and across the country have earned the very best care our nation can provide, and long wait times for critical health services are unacceptable," said Vindman. "We heard from veterans whose appointments have been delayed, canceled, or disrupted because the VA doesn't have the staff it needs. This roundtable helped highlight these stories, renewing our call to increase transparency and accountability at the VA. Our veterans kept their promise to America. We must keep our promise to them."

"I was glad to hear directly from veterans that they are pleased with the quality of their care, but I will keep pushing the VA to do more to address wait times," said Kaine. "Virginia is home to one of the largest veteran populations in the nation, and I will always advocate for our servicemembers, veterans, and their families to have access to the high-quality, timely care they deserve."

View all photos from the roundtable here.

BACKGROUND

In mid-July 2026, 200 Virginians responded to a survey from Vindman about the delays they experienced at the Fredericksburg VA Health Care Center. He personally called over 30 of these veterans to express his commitment to demanding better from the VA.

In June 2026, Vindman introduced bipartisan legislation to increase transparency and accountability at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), helping address understaffing at facilities across the country, including the Fredericksburg VA Health Care Center, and ensure veterans receive the care they earned.

Prior to that, Vindman called for accountability and a clear timeline to bring the facility to full capacity, ensuring our nation's veterans receive the care they earned through their service in six different letters. All of these letters have gone without a written or substantial response.

• Vindman sent the first letter to Secretary Collins raising the concern on staffing, wait times, and the ability to best serve veterans on April 10, 2025. Read the letter here.

• Vindman sent the second letter to Secretary Collins raising the concern on staffing, wait times, and the ability to best serve veterans on October 6, 2025. Read the letter here.

• Vindman sent the third letter to Secretary Collins raising the concern on staffing, wait times, and the ability to best serve veterans on October 17, 2025. Read the letter here.

• Vindman sent the fourth letter to Secretary Collins raising the concern on staffing, wait times, and the ability to best serve veterans on October 27, 2025. Read the letterhere.

• Vindman sent the fifth letter to Secretary Collins raising the concern on staffing, wait times, and the ability to best serve veterans on April 10, 2026. Read the letter here.

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