VA Watchdog Stuff
cups, hats, shirts
click here to
support the site





Be sure to get all four
VA Watchdog dot Org
RSS feeds --
Daily VA
News Flashes
House CVA
Veterans' News
Senate CVA
Veterans' News
VA Press
Releases

Download your
free copy of the
2007 VA benefits
handbook here...

REPUBLICAN PRESS RELEASE

February 27, 2008

Miller Seeks to Provide Additional VA Health Care Facilities

For more information, contact: Brian Lawrence, (202) 225-3527

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller (R-Fla.), Ranking Member of the Health Subcommittee, said during today’s hearing on veterans’ health care facilities that he intends to do all he can to ensure veterans have health care support where they live.

The Subcommittee focused on a draft bill that would authorize a total of about $2 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out major medical facility projects and leases for fiscal year 2009. It included authorization for six major medical construction projects and twelve major medical facility leases that VA submitted in this year’s budget request.

“The planning for construction, alteration, and improvement of VA facilities is an important part of maintaining VA’s quality integrated health care system for our nation’s veterans,” Miller said. “The VA construction program definitely has challenges with the escalating cost of construction projects. I am extremely concerned that VA’s inability to accurately project cost estimates is hindering its ability to move forward with new projects that expand veterans’ access to health care.”

Miller noted that it has been eight years since the VA established its Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES). CARES identified Okaloosa County in Northwest Florida as underserved for inpatient care. Last year, Miller introduced H.R. 3489, the Northwest Florida Veterans Health Care Improvement Act, which would provide more inpatient care through a collaborative project between VA and the Department of Defense.

“We need to examine collaboration as the foundation for future construction projects. The principle of collaboration will lead to the effective management of VA assets that is critical to providing health care services to our nation’s veterans. We must do all we can to support our nation’s heroes where they live.”

-------------------------

posted by Larry Scott
Founder and Editor
VA Watchdog dot Org

Don't forget to read all of today's VA News Flashes (click here)

Click here to make VA Watchdog dot Org your homepage

email Larry

(go back to VA Watchdog dot Org Home Page)

Military Medical Malpractice 
Legal Network               

VA Watchdog Stuff
cups, hats, shirts
click here to
support the site