Tuesday, June 5, 2018 - 4:00 PM to 4:00 PM

(Manchester, NH) – Today, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02), the Ranking Member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, visited the Manchester VA Medical Center and met with Acting VA Secretary Peter O’Rourke to discuss care for New Hampshire veterans and reforms in the New England Veterans Health Care Network, commonly referred to as VISN 1. Last month, the MilCon-VA appropriations bill included Kuster’s provision to require VA to report on their ambulatory surgical centers (ASC) construction priorities and provide Congress with an analysis of VA’s current ability to meet veterans ambulatory surgical needs.

“I appreciate Acting Secretary O’Rourke coming to Manchester to discuss how we can improve access to care for the men and women who have served our nation in uniform,” said Kuster. “As I’ve spoken with Granite State veterans and VA leadership, it has become clear that we must develop a care structure that addresses the unique challenges faced by veterans in New Hampshire. That means expanding services at Manchester through innovative solutions such as providing ambulatory surgical services and ensuring veterans can access care in their communities when VA facilities are not convenient. We’ve taken important steps in the passage of the VA MISSION Act, and I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on the VA Committee, veterans in New Hampshire, and VA leadership to improve services for all those who have served.”

Kuster has focused on working across the aisle to improve access to care for veterans in New Hampshire and across the country. She was one of just two Democrats to co-sponsor the VA MISSION Act, which passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support. This legislation reauthorizes and improves the VA Choice Program and enhances community care programs within the VA. The VA MISSION Act expands access to community care for veterans in New Hampshire through a provision advocated for by Kuster.

###