[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 130 (Thursday, July 27, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E737]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATIONS

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                         HON. SALUD O. CARBAJAL

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 27, 2023

  Mr. CARBAJAL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge the Department of 
Veterans Affairs (VA) to improve communications between large VA 
Medical Centers and Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs).
  Earlier this week, I had a bipartisan amendment to the Military 
Construction and Veterans Affairs appropriations bill pass on the floor 
that encouraged the VA to do just that.
  CBOCs exist to make it easier for veterans to access the healthcare 
they need in their community and remove the inconvenience of visiting a 
major VA Medical Center, which is sometimes hours away. Our veterans 
should not have to jump through hoops to schedule routine appointments 
in their community.
  Too often however, I hear from my constituents that when they call 
their local CBOC to schedule an appointment or ask a question their 
call is routed to a major VA Medical Center, or they leave a message 
and never receive a return call.
  The VA healthcare system needs to work for our veterans and ensure 
they have easy access to the care they are entitled to I strongly 
encourage the VA to come up with a plan to improve communications 
between Community Based Outreach Clinics and their major medical 
centers.

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