Congressman Zach Wamp said Monday that Erlanger Medical Center's agreement to provide health care for East Tennessee veterans proves that persistence and cooperation pay off.

"This has been a huge priority for me," Wamp said. "My staff and I have devoted many hours toward making this happen. Few things I have done during the years I have been in office have meant more than being able to make life a little better for these loyal veterans. They made great sacrifices for all of us, and I am glad that we in the community are able to give something back in return."

The agreement between Erlanger and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provides that the VA's Chattanooga Outpatient Clinic can refer some veterans requiring in-hospital care to Erlanger. To be eligible, the veterans must have been seen previously by the Chattanooga Outpatient Clinic and must be referred by the clinic. This means that these patients and their families will not have to travel to VA facilities in Murfreesboro, Nashville or elsewhere for treatment. The agreement is a one-year, pilot program.

Wamp took the lead in working through the House Veterans Affairs Committee and the Department of Veterans Affairs to make the agreement announced Monday a reality. He has also been at the forefront of efforts to improve services at the VA's Chattanooga Outpatient Clinic.

"This arrangement means that many of our veterans and their families will no longer need to make 280 mile round-trip journeys to get medical attention," Wamp said. "Having to drive hundreds of miles to go to the hospital or visit a loved one is not much fun, but it's particularly difficult when you're sick. Now, our veterans will be able to get more of the care they need close to their homes. This can also mean that veterans can get hospital care they need more quickly than when they had to wait for space in VA facilities.

"I want to thank the folks at the Department of Veterans Affairs for being willing to 'think outside the box?' to help make this happen. This is a creative way to provide first-quality care for our veterans, and East Tennessee is almost the only place in the country where veterans can benefit from being able to use a civilian medical facility that's close to home. The VA is working to improve the very good care at the Chattanooga Outpatient Clinic and now to add local options for quality health care at Erlanger."

"I also commend the Erlanger Medical Center management for going the extra mile to bring this good news to reality. This will let some of our veterans take advantage of the excellent and extensive resources that a major medical center like Erlanger can provide.

"There is a bumper sticker that says, 'If you like your freedom, thank a veteran.' This is an excellent way of thanking our veterans for the sacrifices they made for us," Wamp said. "Quality of care and access to good care are my primary goals when it comes to veterans."

Veterans interested in further information can contact Erlanger Medical Center at (423) 778-VETS.