Hoyer Holds Roundtable Discussion with Fifth District Veterans
CHARLOTTE HALL, MD – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5) released the following statement today after holding a roundtable discussion with Fifth District veterans at Charlotte Hall Veterans Home to discuss access to quality health care and other issues important to the local veterans community:
“I organized this roundtable discussion today because the way our nation upholds its commitment to veterans has been much-discussed over the past several weeks, in light of very disturbing news about lapses at VA facilities. It’s important that Fifth District veterans and stakeholders have an opportunity to have their voices heard in this important discussion about what works, what isn’t working, and how we can work together to make sure that the VA is serving all our veterans with the highest possible quality of care. Those who served our nation honorably in uniform have earned the best care they can get, and Congress has a duty to make sure that happens.
“White House Deputy Chief of Staff Rob Nabors, who was appointed to lead a White House review of the VA in the wake of revelations at the Phoenix VA Medical Health System, is expected to release his report and issue recommendations later this month. Once that occurs, I will be taking a very close look at what he recommends and will continue to work with my colleagues in a bipartisan way to address problems at the VA.
“In Maryland, I’m proud that we have pursued an ‘all-hands-on-deck’ approach to strengthen and improve our the VA system. The VA health care system in our region has already implemented a series of new policies aimed at reducing wait times, including hiring more staff, re-introducing Saturday primary care appointments in Baltimore, and working to get veterans in to see primary care physicians faster. However, the real key to success is that we continue to work together to engage in a constructive dialogue, and I look forward to continuing this important conversation with VA officials, our Congressional delegation, veterans, and other stakeholders over the weeks and months ahead to ensure that Maryland veterans have timely access to quality care.”