[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 143 (Thursday, November 20, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1654-E1655]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF VA CLINIC IN AMERICAN SAMOA
______
HON. ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA
of american samoa
in the house of representatives
Thursday, November 20, 2014
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to include, for
historical purposes, information about the establishment of the VA
clinic in American Samoa.
[Press Release, Nov. 11, 2000]
First Step in Establishing a VA Medical Clinic in American Samoa Is
Underway
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that a technical
team will be in American Samoa from November 13th-17th to set
up and test telecom connections for the veterans enrollment
plan scheduled for early December.
This is an important moment for our veterans, Congressman
Faleomavaega said. And it is an important moment for American
Samoa. Establishing an accurate method for enrolling our
veterans is the first step in establishing a VA medical
clinic in American Samoa. The purpose of the technical teams
visit is to ensure that all systems are go when the VA team
arrives to enroll our veterans in early December. Congressman
Faleomavaega also explained that the teams visit is part of a
collective effort between his office, ASG, and the VA offices
in Honolulu and American Samoa.
I want to thank Governor Tauese for his commitment to our
veterans. I also want to thank the Governors Special
Assistants on Veterans Affairs, High Chief Tuiteleleapaga Fue
Ioane, President of the Veterans Advisory Council, and High
Talking Chief Paogofie Fiaigoa, Veterans Affairs Officer,
Congressman Faleomavaega said. We are working together to
ensure that our veterans receive top-notch health care and
benefits. We are working together to ensure that every
veteran in American Samoa counts and that no one is left
behind. We will not be satisfied with the process until every
veteran in Samoa is accounted for and enrolled in the system.
I have also been working with Senator Akaka, a senior
member of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, and
Congressman Lane Evans, Ranking Member of the House Committee
on Veterans Affairs, Congressman Faleomavaega said. Both
gentlemen are fully supportive of our efforts to establish a
VA medical clinic with a full-time physician in the
Territory. The technical teams planned visit for the week of
November 13th is the first step in our collective effort to
establish the process that may lead to the construction of
our own facility.
Congressman Faleomavaega also noted that Federal law
requires an accurate accounting and enrollment of veterans
before any consideration can be made to establish a VA
medical clinic. It is incumbent upon every veteran living on
island to take part in the enrollment process. If we want a
clinic with a full-time physician, every veteran must
participate, Congressman Faleomavaega said. I strongly urge
all veterans on island to participate and enroll when the
time comes.
For now, the technical team, headed by Dr. Norman Okamura,
will visit Fagatua, Tafuna, Leone and Samoana High Schools to
confirm facility arrangements for enrollment activity.
According to Congressman Faleomavaega, the team will also
confirm the VAs clinical patient record system server
configuration and network requirements.
The technical team plans to meet with LBJ and Health
Department officials to consider the registration process and
to discuss the IHS data system. During this time the team
will also be working closely with Johnny Mapu, PTSD
Coordinator for the office of Veterans Affairs. Provided all
systems are go, the VA enrollment team will arrive in
American Samoa during the week of December 4th to begin the
enrollment process.
____
[Press Release, Feb. 14, 2004]
CARES Commission Agrees With Faleomavaega; VA Clinic Should Be
Established in American Samoa
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that the Capital
Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES) Commission
released its report yesterday and agreed that a Veterans
community-based outpatient clinic (CBOC) should be
established in American Samoa.
The CARES Commission was created by the U.S. Secretary of
Veterans Affairs to provide an independent assessment of what
the VAs needs may be during the next 20 years. One of the
main priorities of the Commission is to make sure that
underserved veterans will receive the care they deserve.
On October 1, 2003, I testified before the CARES Commission
via live satellite feed from the U.S. House of
Representatives to urge the establishment of a VA clinic in
American Samoa and to request that our clinic be given the
highest priority rating possible, Congressman Faleomavaega
said. In my statement, I informed the Commission that I had
worked closely with General John Ma, Commanding General of
the 9th Regional Support Command, to secure a building at no
cost to the VA.
The building that we agreed should be used for a VA clinic
is the butler building which is next to our PX. The butler
building is 3,600 sq. ft., equipped with telehealth lines,
and there are separate entrances and parking lots that can be
further segregated if necessary. The U.S. Army Reserve has
agreed to reconfigure the building to VA needs and transfer
its operations when our new $20 million U.S. Army Reserve
Center is completed by the end of this year.
Mr. David Burge, Director of the Honolulu VA Medical and
Regional Office Center (VAMROC) and Dr. Weibe, Director of
the Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 21 have
estimated that construction costs to renovate the building
will be approximately $1 million. The VA and DoD will assume
all costs associated with the renovation and, once converted,
the clinic will be used to serve Army Reservists as well as
our veterans, Congressman Faleomavaega said.
As I stated in my testimony before the Commission, more
than 5,000 veterans live in American Samoa and over 1,000 are
enrolled in VA health care. Enrolled veterans are forced to
travel more than 2,300 miles from American Samoa to the
nearest VA facility in Honolulu, Hawaii to receive the
medical care and attention they need.
As a Vietnam veteran, I am painfully aware of the
sacrifices that American Samoas veterans have made in defense
of this nation and I do not believe we are asking for the
moon when we ask for a VA clinic to be established in
American Samoa. Like every other American who has borne the
battle, our veterans deserve access to quality VA care. We
deserve to have one doctor, one nurse, one clinic to serve
our veterans and I am pleased that the CARES Commission
agrees with me and has made a favorable recommendation for
the establishment of a CBOC in American Samoa.
Although there was some question about whether or not we
had enough veterans to qualify for the establishment of a
CBOC, the CARES Commission set aside VA claims that we may
have as few as 800 veterans and simply stated that it agrees
that a CBOC should be established in American Samoa in
collaboration with the Department of Defense. This news comes
after years of hard work, ups and downs, and twists and
turns, the Congressman said. For almost two years, the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs has placed a hold on
construction of new facilities and every State and Territory
is now competing for construction dollars. Last year, about
242 VA facilities were listed in the CARES National Draft
plan and American Samoas CBOC was among those listed.
Initially, we had a priority rating of 3 because we have less
than 7,000 veterans. Because of our remote location and lack
of VA care, I asked the Commission to raise our rating from
priority 3 to priority 1 before publishing its final
recommendations.
I also asked for American Samoas CBOC to be included in the
Commissions final report to the Secretary. Senator Inouye,
Senator Akaka, the Honorable Chris Smith, Chairman of the
House Committee on Veterans Affairs and the Honorable Lane
Evans,
[[Page E1655]]
Ranking Member, supported my efforts and joined with me in
signing letters to Mr. Everett Alvarez, Chairman of the CARES
Commission, requesting the same.
On February 13, 2004, the Commission released its report
and I am pleased that our CBOC is included in its final
recommendations. I am also pleased that the Commission made a
nationwide decision to dismiss the VA priority ratings of 1,
2, and 3 and thereby cleared the way for the establishment of
CBOCs in rural areas like American Samoa that have less than
7,000 veterans. Given the Commission's report, I am now
hopeful that the Honorable Anthony J. Principi, Secretary of
Veterans Affairs, will use the recommendations made by the
CARES Commission to create better access to health care for
American Samoas veterans.
At this time, I want to thank the CARES Commission for
undertaking this mission and for seeking the views of
veterans and stakeholders across the country. I also want to
thank Senators Inouye and Akaka, Chairman Smith, Ranking
Member Evans, and General John Ma for their support
throughout this process.
As I have said many times before, our sons and daughters
have served in record numbers in every U.S. military
engagement from WWII to present operations in Iraq. We have
stood by the United States in good times and bad and I am
pleased that the CARES Commission has recognized our service
and agreed that is time to do right by American Samoas
veterans.
Once again, I thank the Commission for the opportunity I
had to testify and submit supporting documentation for
consideration, including a Senate Concurrent Resolution from
the American Samoa Legislature dated March 28, 2001 I also
thank American Samoas veterans and our active duty service
members for their support. I applaud them for their military
service and I continue to wish them and their families the
very best, the Congressman concluded.
____
[Press Release, June 22, 2004]
U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Approves Faleomavaega's Request To
Establish VA Clinic in American Samoa
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that the Honorable
Anthony J. Principi, U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs, has
approved Faleomavaega's request to establish a VA clinic in
American Samoa.
``The Secretary announced his decision on May 7, 2004 and I
will be meeting on June 24, 2004 with Dr. Wiebe, Director of
VISN 21, which is the Veterans Integrated Service Network
responsible for California, Nevada, Hawaii, Guam and American
Samoa,'' Congressman Faleomavaega said.
``On April 26, 2004, I briefed Major General Joseph G.
Webb, Jr., Commander of the Pacific Regional Medical Command
and the Lead Agent for TRICARE Pacific on my efforts
to establish a clinic in American Samoa. Dr. Wiebe was
also present for these discussions which took place in
American Samoa during the April recess, or district work
period.''
``I am pleased that I was able to take General Webb and Dr.
Wiebe on a tour of the butler building which the 9th Regional
Support Command has agreed to turn over for our use,
Faleomavaega continued. I am also pleased that General Webb
and Dr. Wiebe were able to see first-hand the needs of our
local veterans.''
``Most of all, I am thankful that Secretary Principi has
agreed that a VA community based outpatient clinic (CBOC)
should be established in American Samoa. Only 156 new CBOCs
will be established and one of those will be for our
veterans,'' Congressman Faleomavaega said.
``Recognizing that resources are not available to open all
of these clinics immediately, the VA will establish the new
CBOCs by using criteria within the existing approval process.
This includes sound business plans and the capacity to manage
specialty referrals and inpatient needs of a new
population.''
``Given our immediate need and the arrangements we have in
place with the U.S. Army Reserve, I am hopeful that VISN 21
and Dr. Wiebe will be able to act quickly on the
establishment of our clinic, the Congressman said. At this
time, I want to thank the Capital Asset Realignment for
Enhanced Services (CARES) Commission which included American
Samoa in its recommendations to the Secretary.''
``The CARES Commission was created by the U.S. Secretary of
Veterans Affairs to provide an independent assessment of what
the VAs needs may be during the next 20 years. One of the
main priorities of the Commission is to make sure that
underserved veterans will receive the care they deserve.''
``On October 1, 2003, I testified before the CARES
Commission via live satellite feed from the U.S. House of
Representatives to urge the establishment of a VA clinic in
American Samoa and to request that our clinic be given the
highest priority rating possible, Congressman Faleomavaega
said. In my statement, I informed the Commission that I had
worked closely with General John Ma, Commanding General of
the 9th Regional Support Command, to secure a building at no
cost to the VA.''
``The building that we agreed should be used for a VA
clinic is the butler building which currently houses our PX.
The butler building is 3,600 sq. ft., equipped with
telehealth lines, and there are separate entrances and
parking lots that can be further separated if necessary. The
U.S. Army Reserve has agreed to reconfigure the building to
VA needs and transfer its operations when our new $20 million
U.S. Army Reserve Center is completed by October of this
year.''
``Mr. David Burge, Director of the Honolulu VA Medical and
Regional Office Center (VAMROC), and Dr. Wiebe have estimated
that construction costs to renovate the building will be
approximately $1 million. The VA and DoD will assume all
costs associated with the renovation and, once converted, the
clinic will be used to serve Army Reservists as well as our
veterans,'' Congressman Faleomavaega said.
``As I stated in my testimony before the Commission, more
than 5,000 veterans live in American Samoa but only about 800
are enrolled in VA health care. Enrolled veterans are forced
to travel more than 2,300 miles from American Samoa to the
nearest VA facility in Honolulu, Hawaii to receive the
medical care and attention they need.''
``As a Vietnam veteran, I am painfully aware of the
sacrifices that American Samoas veterans have made in defense
of this nation, and I do not believe we are asking for the
moon when we ask for a VA clinic to be established in
American Samoa. Like every other American who has borne the
battle, our veterans deserve access to quality VA care. We
deserve to have at least one doctor, one nurse, and a clinic
to serve our veterans and I am pleased that the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs and the CARES Commission agrees with me and
has made a favorable recommendation for the establishment of
a CBOC in American Samoa.''
``Although there was some question about whether or not we
had enough veterans to qualify for the establishment of a
CBOC, the CARES Commission set aside VA claims that we may
have as few as 800 veterans and simply stated that it agrees
that a CBOC should be established in American Samoa in
collaboration with the Department of Defense. This news comes
after years of hard work, ups and downs, and twists and
turns, the Congressman said. For almost two years, the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs has placed a hold on
construction of new facilities and every State and Territory
is now competing for construction dollars.''
``Last year, about 242 VA facilities were listed in the
CARES National Draft plan and American Samoas CBOC was among
those listed. Initially, we had a priority rating of 3
because we have less than 7,000 veterans. Because of our
remote location and lack of VA care, I asked the Commission
to raise our rating from priority 3 to priority 1 before
publishing its final recommendations.''
``I also asked for American Samoas CBOC to be included in
the Commissions final report to the Secretary. Senator
Inouye, Senator Akaka, the Honorable Chris Smith, Chairman of
the House Committee on Veterans Affairs and the Honorable
Lane Evans, Ranking Member, supported my efforts and joined
with me in signing letters to Mr. Everett Alvarez, Chairman
of the CARES Commission, requesting the same.''
``On February 13, 2004, the Commission released its report
and, as I announced in a press release dated February 14,
2004, our CBOC was included in its final recommendations. The
Commission made a nationwide decision to dismiss the VA
priority ratings of 1, 2, and 3 and thereby cleared the way
for the establishment of CBOCs in rural areas like American
Samoa that have less than 7,000 veterans.''
``In turn, Secretary Principi included our clinic on his
list of 156 and I am hopeful that with his support VISN 21
will now move to improve health care for American Samoas
veterans, the Congressman said. As I have said time and time
again, our men and women have served in record numbers in
every U.S. military engagement from WWII to present
operations in Iraq. We have stood by the United States in
good times and bad and I am pleased that Secretary Principi
has made it clear that it is time to do right by American
Samoas veterans.''
``I thank Secretary Principi for his support. I also thank
the CARES Commission, Senator Inouye, Senator Akaka, Chairman
Chris Smith and Ranking Member Lane Evans of the House
Committee on Veterans Affairs, Dave Burge, General Webb, and
General John Ma for their support and commitment throughout
this process.''
``Again, I thank the Commission for the opportunity I had
to testify and submit supporting documentation for
consideration, including a Senate Concurrent Resolution from
the American Samoa Legislature dated March 28, 2001. I also
thank American Samoas veterans and our active duty service
members for their support. I applaud them for their military
service and I continue to wish them and their families the
very best,'' the Congressman concluded.
____________________