[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 89 (Wednesday, June 13, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S4148]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                         VETERANS' HEALTH CARE

 Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize a 
landmark moment in health care for our veterans. Today is the 25th 
anniversary of the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Nation's first 
Veterans' Community Based Outpatient Clinic, CBOC. On June 13, 1987, at 
the Cary Medical Center in Caribou, ME, Governor John McKernan was 
joined by Senators George Mitchell and William Cohen, and then-
Congresswoman Olympia Snowe to cut the ribbon of the new clinic. As the 
first community based outpatient clinic of its kind in the United 
States, the Caribou clinic served as the proving ground upon which the 
Department of Veterans Affairs, VA, has built a nationwide health care 
system that delivers much improved access to care for America's rural 
veterans. Today nearly 3.5 million veterans, approximately 41 percent 
of those enrolled in the VA health care system, live in rural areas, 
many of whom receive care at more than 800 community based outpatient 
clinics.
  The history of the CBOC in Caribou, however, began long before the 
ribbon cutting, when seven Aroostook County veterans dedicated 
themselves to the mission of improving access to critical health care 
services to the veterans living in their communities. To accomplish 
this goal, they established the Aroostook County Veterans Medical 
Facility Research and Development, Inc. The initial members were Percy 
Thibeault, Meo Bosse, John Rowe, Ray Guerrette, Wesley Adams, Walter 
Corey, and Leonard Woods, Sr.
  Over a span of 8 years, they committed themselves to convincing the 
VA to establish a veterans' health clinic in Caribou. They were joined 
along the way by other concerned veterans, community members, the Cary 
Medical Center, and a number of Maine veterans service organizations. 
Their initiative paid off 8 years later, and today, on the 25th 
anniversary of their historic accomplishment, they deserve to be 
recognized. Our veterans in rural areas throughout the United States 
benefit today from the dedication of this landmark work. CBOCs are a 
vital part of veteran health services today.
  These exemplary seven men battled to ensure that health care services 
were available to every veteran living in rural areas. That battle, 
despite the VA's best efforts, goes on.
  Rural areas are still underserved in the types of medical treatment 
available. In some cases CBOCs don't even have permanent physicians 
assigned. The Iraq and Afghan wars have created a new generation of 
combat veterans, many of whom have new medical needs including 
prosthetic medical treatments, mental health care, and extensive 
physical therapy needs.
  I am encouraged by the VA's renewed commitment to rural health care, 
and the $250 million that VA is allocating for programs for rural 
communities. But I would urge the VA to do more, and expand one program 
in particular, the Access Received Closer to Home, ARCH, project. ARCH 
has been tremendously popular in all five of the communities where the 
pilot program was established. Given Caribou's history, it is 
especially fitting that Caribou CBOC was selected as one of the five 
locations.
  Our veterans have sacrificed so much for our country. We owe them all 
that we can to ensure they receive the best care possible. The seven 
men who fought for the Caribou CBOC knew that, and we honor their 
dedication to their fellow veterans by carrying on their work.

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