Veterans

As Americans, we enjoy the many freedoms we do because of the bravery and dedication of the men and women who serve or have served in the Armed Forces. I believe it is incumbent upon us to see that our veterans receive the best quality medical care and benefits and that services should be provided with promptness and respect.

As a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, I am working to reduce the wait time our veterans face in receiving care at VA clinics and hospitals. I am also working to see that the unacceptable backlog of hundreds of thousands of disability claims is addressed as soon as possible.

I will work to ensure that Second District veterans continue to get good service and care from their local VA clinics. Additionally, I will fight to keep the Fort Wayne VA Hospital open. Further, I support efforts to open additional community VA clinics in Indiana so that veterans do not have to travel long distances to receive care. We also need to provide better access to counseling and mental health care services for veterans.

The recent revelations of poor housing conditions and bureaucratic hassles for soldiers receiving outpatient care at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. angered and disappointed Americans everywhere. The problem seemed to confirm what many veterans have suspected: that while medical care for veterans has improved in recent years, substandard conditions at some facilities and unnecessary red tape remains a problem. As your congressman, I am working to see that all VA and military health facilities are clean and well run, and that military personnel and veterans receive the respect and dignity they deserve.