[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 69 (Thursday, May 8, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E721]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN SUPPORT OF THE VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION (VHA) NATION-WIDE 
                             ACCESS REVIEW

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. CORRINE BROWN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 8, 2014

  Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, as a senior member of the House 
Veterans' Affairs Committee, I rise today in support of Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki's announcement that the Veterans Health 
Administration (VHA) will complete a nation-wide access review. As 
stated, the purpose of this review is to ensure a full understanding of 
VA's policy and continued integrity in managing patient access to care. 
As part of the review during the next several weeks, a national face-
to-face audit will be conducted at all clinics for every VA Medical 
Center.
  I am confident in the health care our veterans in Florida are 
receiving. With eight VA Medical Centers in Florida, Georgia and Puerto 
Rico and over 55 clinics serving over 1.6 million veterans, veterans 
are getting the best in the world.
  Over 2,312 physicians and 5,310 nurses are serving the 546,874 
veterans who made nearly 8 million visits to the facilities in our 
region. Of the total 25,133 VA employees, one-third are veterans.
  In 2013, 37,221 women received health care services at VA hospitals 
and clinics in Florida, South Georgia and the Caribbean--more than any 
other VA healthcare network nationwide. This means that more than 75 
percent of women Veterans enrolled for VA healthcare in VISN 8 were 
seen by providers in 2013.
  I am especially pleased at the new Jacksonville Replacement 
Outpatient Clinic that was recently opened. The two-story, 133,500 
square foot clinic provides state of the art technology and increased 
specialty services including diagnostics, improved laboratory 
facilities, expansion of women's services, minor ambulatory surgical 
procedures, expanded mental health telehealth services and additional 
audiology.
  When opened, the Orlando VA Medical Center will include 134 inpatient 
beds, an outpatient clinic, parking garages, chapel and central energy 
plant. Currently, the 120-bed community living center and 60-bed 
domiciliary are open and accepting veterans.
  The VA provides quality timely healthcare to our veterans. We have a 
duty to make sure that all those who have defended this country when 
called upon receive the care they have earned through their service. I 
support the Secretary in his nation-wide access review and look forward 
to hearing his report when it is finished.

                          ____________________