NEWS FROM….
CONGRESSMAN
LANE EVANS
RANKING DEMOCRATIC MEMBER
COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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FOR RELEASE: August 24, 2001 |
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Lane
Evans Calls on Secretary of Veterans Affairs to Appoint Director for
VA Medical Centers in Central Plains Washington, DC - In
a letter to Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony Principi today,
the Senior Democrat on the House Veterans Affairs Committee, Lane
Evans (IL), requested immediate action to bring “permanent and
effective” leadership to the helm of the VA’s health network
that includes W. Illinois, Iowa, and Nebraska.
Veterans Integrated Service Network 14, also known as the
Central Plains Health Network, has relied on “interim”
leadership that has taken local hospital managers away from their
regular duties for almost a year.
Citing management decisions that have resulted in veterans
not being able to obtain care for injuries related to their military
service, Evans stated there was a “compelling need” to
intervene. “Mr.
Secretary, VA is failing our veterans contrary to the pledge made by
President Bush,” Evans told Principi. Earlier this month, Evans contacted President Bush about a service-disabled Iowa veteran who had not been able to receive care for a war-related injury at Iowa City VA Medical center or its community clinics. After Evans learned of the problem, he contacted VA on behalf of the veteran who will now be provided care. “Our veterans should be able to obtain VA health care, at least for their war-related injuries, without months of delay or being required to enroll as new veteran patients do,” Evans said. Identifying growing waiting lists for care and a need to manage within an austere budget as challenges that must be addressed, Evans stressed the necessity for the Secretary to appoint an effective leader. More than 3,500 veterans have reportedly been wait listed for medical treatment by the Iowa City VA Medical Center or one of its community based clinics. In addition, local VA managers have also been told to expect budget shortfalls again in the next year. Evans questioned interim managers understanding of “the unique mission and practices of the Department of Veterans Affairs”. Evans cited apparent VA confusion over veterans’ priorities to care established in federal law and regulations as evidence that the Iowa City VA Medical Center and its clinics in Galesburg, Bettendorf and Quincy need an effective permanent manager. Evans also took aim at VA’s Washington managers and the President stating that concerns he had raised to them had not been redressed. “Nationwide hundreds or thousands of veterans with a high priority for care may be lingering on waiting lists despite the fact that there is no requirement for them to enroll to receive care… Clear legal guidance may be in order,” Evans advised Principi.-30-
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