[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 126 (Monday, September 15, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1783]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RECOGNIZING THE CARES PROGRAM

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                          HON. J. RANDY FORBES

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 15, 2003

  Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Department of 
Veterans' Affairs' Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services 
program.
  I was pleased to hear the news from the Department of Veterans' 
Affairs concerning their Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced 
Services, the CARES program. As a representative of all veterans living 
in the 4th District of Virginia, access to affordable health care to 
those who have given so much for our nation is an important goal of 
mine.
  Health care for our nation's veterans should be easily accessible and 
this realignment plan will help ease the hardship on those folks by 
lessening commuter time and truncating the waiting period now a common 
part of health care access.
  I strongly support the option for an outpatient clinic offering 
primary care services to be located in Emporia. The savings incurred by 
the utilization of these clinics will be passed on to those using the 
Department of Veterans' Affairs' many services.
  In Virginia, 142,000 veterans are enrolled in the Department of 
Veterans' Affairs health care system. A great amount of the veterans 
from my district must travel a long distance to see their primary care 
provider. I believe those who cave so much for their country should not 
have to drive for miles to see a doctor for basic medical needs. 
Keeping our commitment to our veterans requires us to give them the 
option of visiting with a doctor within a reasonable distance.
  Through my work in the House and with Secretary of Veterans' Affairs 
Anthony Principi, I will work to offer all veterans a better quality of 
life. I look forward to the next few months as the CARES Commission 
weighs the option of establishing a clinic facility in Emporia, 
Virginia and a final decision is made by Secretary Principi.

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