In Wake of Reports of Negligence at VA Centers, Peters Stands with Veterans to Ensure Access to Critical Medical Care & Benefits

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representative Gary Peters voted in favor of the Veterans Affairs Management and Accountability Act, a measure to increase accountability at the VA by enhancing the Secretary’s authority to rapidly remove employees of the Senior Executive Service, based on their performance, from government service when their actions warrant dismissal. In light of recent allegations and news reports revealing that the health of our nation’s veterans has been compromised due to negligence at VA healthcare facilities in Arizona, Colorado and Texas, Peters has demanded swift action to ensure veterans receive the timely and quality healthcare they deserve.

“America’s men and women in uniform are the bravest in the world, sacrificing so much in the name of service and to defend our freedom. When they return home, they deserve the highest quality healthcare, delivered immediately at the VA healthcare centers they depend on. Anything short of that is simply unacceptable,” Peters said. “The recent medical crisis at VA health centers across the country demands immediate action so that not one more veteran goes without the healthcare they need and have earned. I will work with my colleagues to do whatever it takes to investigate this problem, hold those who have acted with negligence accountable and ensure this never happens again.”

On Monday, Peters met with local veterans at the Michigan Veterans Foundation in Detroit to hear about their experiences, challenges and their reaction to the reports about the VA medical crisis. Peters wrote a letter to Secretary Shinseki, demanding accountability from the VA system and immediate action to ensure that our nation’s veterans are getting the medical care they need and the benefits they have earned.

The Department of Veterans Affairs Management Accountability Act is supported by theAmerican Legion, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, AMVETS, Concerned Veterans for America, Reserve Officers Association and Vietnam Veterans of America.

The son of a World War II veteran, Peters served in the U.S. Navy Reserve for more than a decade, becoming a Seabee combat warfare specialist and rising to the rank of Lieutenant Commander. After 9/11, Peters volunteered to serve again.

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