FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 15, 2002

LARSON INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE VETERAN'S ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE

Bill is in Response to Transfer of Services From Newington VA to West Haven

HARTFORD- U.S. Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01) today announced that he has introduced legislation in the House of Representatives designed to improve access to healthcare for America's veterans. The bill, entitled the 21st Century Veterans Equitable Treatment Act (VET-21), would ensure adequate healthcare access by setting standards for appointments using the Veteran's Administration's (VA) established performance goals. If the VA is incapable of meeting these standards, Larson's legislation would allow treatment of the veteran by a non-VA medical facility for service or treatment for which they would have otherwise qualified for within the VA system.

Larson stated: