US House Rep Jeff Miller (above) is the Chair of the House Veterans Affairs Committee. US Senator Johnny Isakson (below) is the Chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee.
The two Chairs issued a joint-statement today.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Friday, September 18, 2015
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Joint Statement on Independent Assessment of VA
‘This
report is yet another reminder that it is far past time for President
Obama to come to the table and work with Congress to transform the VA
into an organization worthy of those it serves.’
WASHINGTON
– U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and U.S. Representative Jeff
Miller, chairman of the Senate and House Committees
on Veterans’ Affairs, respectively, released the following joint
statement on the independent assessment created under Section 201 of the
Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014:
“When
we requested an independent assessment over a year ago, many of the
failures at individual hospitals were well-documented. However, we all
feared that they were just the tip of the iceberg.
This in-depth review justifies those fears, and validates Congress’
efforts for years to investigate and uncover the many serious issues
preventing the Department of Veterans Affairs from providing America’s
veterans with quality, timely healthcare. The VA
can no longer deny that its problems, as outlined in this report, are
deep-seated and systemic. From delays in care and scandal cover-ups, to
rampant unaccountability and a lack of leadership, the VA is an
organization challenged at every level.
“This
is not just another report to sit on a shelf collecting dust. Failing
to act on its findings would be a great disservice to the men and women
who have worn the uniform and to the values that
make our nation great.
“We
know that the Commission on Care will be closely examining these
assessments and recommendations, and we look forward to the commission’s
plan to end this continuing national tragedy. As the
assessment confirms, fixing the VA will require a lot of time and hard
work. This report is yet another reminder that it is far past time for
President Obama to come to the table and work with Congress to transform
the VA into an organization worthy of those
it serves.”
Related:
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The Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs is chaired by U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., in the 114th Congress.
Isakson
is a veteran himself – having served in the Georgia Air National Guard
from 1966-1972 – and has been a member of the Senate VA Committee since
he joined the Senate in 2005. Isakson’s home
state of Georgia is home to more than a dozen military installations
representing each branch of the military as well as more than 750,000
veterans.
veterans