Congress of the United States ‘Washington, BE 20515 February 24, 2016 ‘The Honorable Rober A. McDonald Secretary US. Department of Veterans Affairs 810 Vermont Ave. NW ‘Washington, DC 20420 Dear Mr. Secretary: ‘We write to request that you immediately send an independent tam to the Phoenix VA Health Care System (PVAHCS) to review the faility’s suicide prevention protocols and services. ‘Ongoing concerms from veterans and reporis in the media raise serious questions about the existence of and adherence to appropriate protocols to treat Arizone veterans with suicidal ideations. Immediate action must be taken to ensure Arizona veterans, especially those a risk of suicide, receive access to appropriate care. ‘As you know, Phoenix was the epicenter ofthe VA crisis. Even before the esis, concems were raised about the availability, accessibility, and appropriateness of behavioral health care provided to Arizona veterans, This issue must he immediately and Fully resolved, ‘We ask that you send an independent team to evaluate protocols and operations at the PVAHCS, toensure Arizona veterans receive the care they deserve. We also ask that you provide the new PVAHCS director, Deborah Amdur, with the support and resources necessary to successfully meet the needs of Arizona veterans ‘Thank you for your ongoing service on behalf of our nation's veterans. We look forward to working with you to resolve this pressing issue Sincerely, oe Sinema ‘Matt Salmon Member of Congress Member of Congress