Carnahan Urges House Veterans' Panel To Schedule Promised Hearing in St. Louis To Ensure Needed Improvements Are Being Made at Cochran Medical Center

(WASHINGTON, DC) - As the nation prepares to celebrate Veterans Day on November 11, Rep. Russ Carnahan (MO-03) is continuing his push for quality health care for area veterans by pressing to make sure that needed improvements are being made at the St. Louis's John Cochran VA Medical Center.

"I believe the most important thing we can do to honor and thank the men and women who have served our nation is to make sure that all veterans receive the absolute best care possible," Carnahan said. "We have a responsibility to stand up for our men and women in uniform, not only when they are fighting for us, but also when they come back home."

In July, based on Carnahan's request, the House Committee on Veterans Affairs held a field hearing in St. Louis to look into safety lapses at the Cochran Medical Center that potentially exposed 1812 veterans to blood borne pathogens such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV. In a letter being sent this week, Carnahan is urging committee Chairman Bob Filner to honor a commitment he made during that hearing to bring the panel back to St. Louis in order to make sure promised changes at the Cochran facility are being made.

While Carnahan is requesting that the follow-up hearing be held before the end of the year, he expressed his firm commitment to working with the new committee leadership and members to schedule an alternative date as early in 2011 as possible.

"This is not about Republicans or Democrats," Carnahan said. "This is about holding the VA accountable, making sure this never happens again, and honoring our commitment to provide veterans with the best health care possible."

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