Improving health care for our veterans is one of my top priorities.  My record is long standing on adding improvements to the Chattanooga Outpatient Clinic and setting up the Erlanger Pilot Program.  Veterans deserve to have timely access to quality health care.

The Veterans Administration (VA) is expected to designate areas in the United States where veterans are under served with regards to health care.  This new program, called CARES, would allow these identified veterans to receive the prompt care they deserve without having to travel long distances.  If a veteran lives in Bradley County and chooses to receive health care services in Bradley County, the VA should allow it.  Veterans in the 3rd district of Tennessee who have to travel to Murfreesboro or Nashville for care are definitely under served and I will work for their inclusion in the VA CARES program.

This program is a step in the right direction.  I will continue to fight for better health care services for veterans.