Pearce Discusses Improving Access to Care for Veterans with Secretary Principi
Roswell,
Oct 15, 2004 -
Yesterday Congressman Steve Pearce met with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi to discuss ways to improve access to care for veterans in Southern New Mexico. A small group of veterans from throughout the District participated in the meeting.
Principi was in town to be inducted into the New Mexico Military Institute’s Alumni Hall of Fame and upon learning of his visit to Roswell, Pearce requested and obtained the meeting with the Secretary.
“Our veterans in Southern New Mexico deserve better access to care. Many of our older veterans just can’t make the roundtrip all the way to Albuquerque or El Paso to get the treatment they need,” Pearce said.
Pearce, a Vietnam veteran, has fought for better access to care for veterans in rural areas during his first term in Congress. Along with better access, last year Pearce voted for a $4.1 Billion increase in federal funding for veterans programs.
Congressman Pearce cosponsored H.R. 2379, the Rural Veterans Access to Care Act of 2003, which would direct the VA to ensure that no less than five percent of the funds made available each fiscal year to the VA for medical care are used to improve access to medical services in rural areas.
Pearce is also a cosponsor of H.R. 3777, the HEALTHY Vets Act, which would require the VA to enter into contracts with local health care providers to improve access to health care for veterans in highly rural areas.
Pearce added, “I proposed to Secretary Principi that the VA should contract for services with their local doctors and hospitals so our veterans can receive the treatment they need instead of driving for long distances.”
