The Honorable Michael Bilirakis Subcommittee on Health July 23, 1998 Hearing on the VA’s Efforts to Maintain Specialized Health Care Services Thank you, Mr. Chairman. First, let me commend you for scheduling today’s hearing on the VA’s efforts to maintain specialized health care services. With the enactment of the Veterans’ Health Care Eligibility Reform Act of 1996 and the other major changes taking place within the VA health care system, this is an important issue that deserves our attention. Over the years, I have had a very strong interest in the VA’s specialized services, particularly the services for veterans with spinal cord injury or dysfunction. When Congress approved the Veterans’ Health Care Eligibility Reform Act, we included language mandating that the VA maintain its capacity to provide specialized health care services to veterans. I am very concerned that the VA may be ignoring, and if not ignoring, certainly not living up to our directive. In reviewing the testimony of our witnesses, it is clear that I am not alone. In part, my concerns also stem from my continuing frustrations over the construction of a SCI center at the James Haley VA Medical Center in Tampa, Florida. The VA first proposed expanding the current SCI center in 1971. The existing center has one of the highest demands for SCI services in the VA system, but it suffers from major space deficiencies and safety violations. It has been over twenty-five years, and Florida’s veterans are still waiting for the new SCI center to be constructed. Given the VA’s continuing reluctance to fund this much-needed facility and the other issues raised by some of today’s witnesses, I have to question the VA’s commitment to maintaining its specialized services. In my opinion, the VA’s specialized services are the heart of its health care mission. In fact, VA witnesses consistently use that as a reason to continue the need for a separate VA health care system. It is incumbent upon us as Members of Congress to make sure that these services are available to the brave men and women who have served our country. I look forward to hearing from our witnesses and I look forward to working with you and the other members of the Health Subcommittee on this important issue. |