STEARNS SERVED TWO YEARS AS CHAIRMAN OF THE HEALTH SUBCOMMITTEE

Washington, Feb 9, 2005 - Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Ocala) today was selected again to serve as Vice Chairman of the Health Subcommittee, a position he held from 2001 to 2003.  In addition, Stearns served as Chairman of the Health Subcommittee from 1997 to 2001.  "Florida has the nation's second largest veterans population, and the oldest," said Stearns.  "I look forward to working in the subcommittee to enhance the availability and the quality of care for our nation's veterans."

Added Stearns, "I am currently working to ensure funding for the proposed new inpatient tower a the Gainesville VA Medical Center as well as the Regional VA Health Care Facility in south Marion County."  The new facility would offer more services and greater resources for area veterans than existing local VA outpatient clinics can provide.  The VA plans to provide specialty care, primary care, and mental health services at this news site.  Specialty services would include audiology, cardiology, urology, gastro-intestinal, orthopedics, ophthalmology, dermatology, minor surgery, as well as imaging services such at CT, MRI, fluoroscopy, ultrasound, and nuclear imaging.