Scalise Statement on VA Hospital Announcement

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

The following is a comment from Congressman Steve Scalise regarding today’s announcement of the site location for the VA Hospital.

“Today’s announcement brings Louisiana veterans one step closer to receiving the quality healthcare services they deserve. Our brave military veterans have served our nation with honor and it is important that they have access to quality healthcare without having to travel to other states to get the help they need.

“As a member of the U.S. House Veterans Affairs Committee, I have made it one of my top priorities to reestablish these critical services for our veterans in Southeast Louisiana. It is always an honor to help our nation’s veterans who sacrificed so much to protect the freedoms we enjoy every day.

“I want to reiterate this is only a step in the process of rebuilding the VA Hospital. I will continue to work with the local, state and federal parties in seeing this project to completion.”

On Background:

Congressman Scalise has helped facilitate discussion groups and urged the involved parties, including the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, to expedite the decision making processes of the future of the VA Hospital.

This year Congressman Scalise introduced the Restoring Essential Care for Our Veterans for Effective Recovery (RECOVER) Act of 2008, H.R. 6945. Scalise’s bill would allow the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to establish contracts with non-VA hospitals to provide healthcare services to veterans if a VA hospital is closed due to a federally declared natural disaster. The legislation also ensures that veterans’ access to healthcare services is available in the region.

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Contact: Luke Bolar
202-226-4309