[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 156 (Friday, October 31, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2185]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        VETERANS HEALTH CARE FACILITIES CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. CIRO D. RODRIGUEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 29, 2003

  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1720, 
the Veterans Health Care Facilities Capital Improvement Act. I would 
like to recognize the very necessary and hard work of my colleagues on 
the House Veterans Affairs Committee, from both sides of the aisle, and 
our Chairman Congressman Rob Simmons of Connecticut, on this critical 
issue.
  H.R. 1720, as amended, authorizes a new approach to funding VA 
construction after the Department addresses a number of compelling 
needs identified throughout the system. Through this measure we have 
outlined Congressional priorities for the types of projects VA should 
fund, but would allow VA to identify the locations where there is the 
most need.
  I am particularly interested in VA's plan to address the needs of 
veterans in far south Texas. Parts of my district have the worst access 
to hospital care in the country. I am especially pleased that the 
amended version of H.R. 1720 contains a section that authorizes the 
development of a strategy by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to 
address the great need for hospital care for veterans who reside in far 
south Texas. Under H.R. 1720, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs would 
be required to submit findings to the Senate and House of 
Representatives no later than January 31, 2004.
  Mr. Speaker, it is shameful that veterans in McAllen, Texas, just 
east of my district, must travel up to 6 hours one-way to reach the San 
Antonio VA Medical Center. Data collected for VA's Capital Assets 
Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES) process showed that veterans 
in one of the area's markets--the Valley Coastal Bend--have the worst 
access to acute inpatient hospital care of veterans in any other VA 
market in the United States.
  The time has passed for us to address this crisis in access. This 
bill will put VA on a sure path for doing that, and I will eagerly 
await the opportunity to respond to VA's recommendations for increasing 
access for South Texas veterans. This bill is an important step to 
ensure that VA keeps its promise to veterans.

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