BUYER PUSHES LARGER ROLE FOR VA IN
NATIONAL RESPONSE PLAN
Lack of role highlighted in Katrina Report to Congress 

Washington, D.C. —Today, with the release of the report by the House of Representatives Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina, Chairman Buyer (R-IN) issued the following statement:  

“I am troubled that the VA, the nation’s largest health care system has such a minimal role in the National Response Plan (NRP). In addition to its role of serving veterans and their families, by providing health care, benefits, and burial assistance, the VA has a fourth mission.  This mission is to support the Department of Defense (DOD) as a primary back up during war or national emergency, and also to assist other Federal agencies in providing medical and other services during natural disaster or terrorist attack.”  

“The VA has 162 hospitals, 800 plus community clinics, and more than 200,000 personnel at its disposal.  They are geographically dispersed in rural, urban, and suburban areas across this country, and they can provide an invaluable resource to assist in the response to both man-made and natural disasters.  While several VA Medical Centers and facilities were destroyed due to Hurricane Katrina, others stood ready to assist in the response, alleviate the burden, and absorb the evacuating population from the Hurricane’s affected facilities.” 

“It does not go without notice that during the nation’s greatest national disaster, the men and women of the VA stood out in their response to the Hurricane.  They knew their mission and implemented it successfully.”   

“The House Veterans Affairs Committee will examine more thoroughly the VA’s Fourth mission and whether or not its facilities, personnel and expertise are being utilized to the benefit of this nation.” 

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