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Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Ranking Member Steve Buyer (IN) highlighted his vision of advancing strong working relationships between the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and private and public sectors to ensure veterans receive the best care possible.  Buyer’s comments were made during a Committee field hearing yesterday in Jacksonville, Florida on expanding VA facilities in the area.

The current Jacksonville VA clinic is located next to the University of Florida's Health Science Center at Shand’s Hospital. “Collaborating to expand services at the current site could yield substantial benefits for veterans,” Buyer said.

“I believe that collaboration – whether it is between VA and DOD, VA and its university medical affiliates, or VA and other private-sector entities is a powerful tool that VA must leverage to ensure that our veterans have the greatest access to the most advanced medicine and medical technology.”

Buyer also spoke of the need for VA to establish long-term plans for the use of renewable ‘green’ energy technologies at VA facilities.

“Especially here in the ‘Sunshine State’, VA must consider the use of renewable energy to power VA health care facilities.”  

Following the hearing, Buyer toured the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) Headquarters and its newest initiative, the TRACK Program.  The WWP is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring and empowering those who have been severely injured serving our country.  TRACK is an approved Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program with a whole-life approach to educating wounded veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. 

“I am deeply encouraged by the creativeness of non-governmental programs such as the Wounded Warrior Project.  The services and opportunities they are providing to our veterans are remarkable and I congratulate them for taking the initiative to support our nation’s heroes.” 

For more news from House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Republicans, please go to: 

http://republicans.veterans.house.gov/  

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