(Washington, DC) – Congressman Charles W. Boustany, Jr., M.D., (R-South Louisiana) issued the following statement after learning U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Erik Shinseki plans to tour New Orleans VA medical facilities without visiting Lake Charles and Lafayette veterans harmed by his department’s bureaucratic errors and broken promises:

“In May 2012, Secretary Shinseki said local access to medical specialists would improve for Lake Charles and Lafayette veterans within the ‘next 2 to 2.5 years.’  He made this promise as a Cabinet official and should explain all he’s personally doing to honor it.

“It’s disappointing he will not meet with Lake Charles and Lafayette veterans to demonstrate his commitment to speeding their access to medical care.  I made this meeting request more than a year ago.  It’s shameful South Louisiana’s veterans with hardships must travel three hours for specialized medical care because of VA mismanagement.”  

###

A recent CBS Evening News story exposed the hardships veterans in South Louisiana, and across the country, face to receive healthcare.