Congressional Delegation Urges VA to Ensure Reliable Wi-Fi Service at Maine CBOCs

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, and U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden, are calling on the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) to provide all Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) in Maine with reliable WiFi service. In a letter to VA Secretary Denis McDonough, the delegation shares that reliable, high-speed WiFi is critical for continued healthcare service for Maine’s veterans – and the comfort of the patients seeking care.

The delegation wrote,“We are writing to inquire about the status of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ NEXTGEN initiative to ensure Wi-Fi at all Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) in Maine. As you may know, none of Maine’s eight CBOCs have public Wi-Fi. Calais and Lincoln have no employee Wi-Fi whatsoever; and Caribou, Portland, Bangor, and Lewiston have limited Wi-Fi for staff. It is clear that Wi-Fi services in all CBOCs will improve staff efficacy and patient experience, medication management, and the ability to utilize a network via laptop to support the PACT model of care, moving from room to room to the patient.”

“Technology plays a critical role in providing healthcare in Maine, especially given the remoteness of many areas. The need for guest Wi-Fi impacts the veteran experience in VA Maine by limiting the ability to self-check in and do travel benefit forms via the “My HealtheVet” portal. Internal Wi-Fi would increase time spent with patients and external Wi-Fi would decrease wait times for veterans checking in via their cell phones. Furthermore, access to the internet can be a form of relief for patients and visitors who are in a facility for multiple appointments,” they continued.

The letter concludes with the delegation asking for a specific implementation timeline and understanding of when WiFi will be installed at CBOCs in Maine.

• When will each Maine CBOC get Wi-Fi?
• What is the national timeline for NEXTGEN implementation?
• How does the implementation of NEXTGEN Wi-Fi in Maine compare to implementation in other states?
• What challenges have you identified to improve the availability of Wi-Fi across all CBOCs, and how are you addressing them?
• How can Congress help ensure a swift rollout of NEXTGEN?

The full letter can be found here and below.

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