[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 31 (Thursday, March 11, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E349]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TAKING CARE OF OUR VETERANS

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                             HON. DAVE CAMP

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 10, 2004

  Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss a very important issue 
to me, and to the veterans in my district. As you may know, the Capital 
Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES) Commission recently 
issued its report to Secretary Principi. While the goal of the CARES 
Commission is to improve the health care services provided by the 
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to our veteran population, I do not 
believe this report takes into account the legitimate concerns 
expressed by veterans in my District.
  Specifically, the CARES proposal calls for the closure of acute 
medical care beds at the Aleda E. Lutz Medical Center in Saginaw, 
Michigan. The loss of these beds would be detrimental to level of care 
provided in the region.
  Veterans in the northern portion of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan 
currently have only one VA facility that is accessible to them for 
inpatient care, the Saginaw VA Hospital. For veterans traveling from 
the rural portions of Michigan, getting to Saginaw can already be a 
difficult task. If the proposal is put into place, veterans seeking 
immediate care will face an unnecessary strain of two hours worth of 
additional travel.
  I certainly understand that the VA is undergoing a change and trying 
to better fit its facilities with veterans' needs. However, it must do 
so in a manner that does not establish new barriers for veterans 
seeking care. Every remedy we propose must ensure that veterans know 
exactly where to go when they need medical care. Simply put, the 
solution cannot be worse than the problem. The VA hospital system was 
established to provide veterans, who have made great sacrifices for 
this country, with direct access to the care they deserve. We must not 
back down from that promise.
  Veterans have come to rely on the services they receive at the 
Saginaw hospital, and they should not have to give that up. They have 
given enough already for this country, and I am unwilling to ask them 
for more.
  I want to be clear: improvements can be and need to be made. 
Alternatives such as contracting with local hospitals is a promising 
solution. I also believe we need to pass H.R. 2379, the Rural Veterans 
Access to Care Act, introduced by the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. 
Osborne) and a bill I am a proud to co-sponsor.
  This legislation directs the Secretary of VA to ensure at least five 
percent of the funds for Medical Care are used to improve access to 
medical services for highly rural or geographically remote veterans. It 
also allows VA approved veterans to enroll in a program that gives them 
access to routine health care from a local provider.
  In closing, I would like to commend the administration for their 
dedication to working with this Congress to improve health care for our 
veterans. The reform of government and the services it provides is a 
thankless task, but one that is necessary for the well being of this 
nation.

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