Since 01-08-06
VA to Study Health Care Access
in South Texas
Since 01-08-06
From: Llamas, Jose [jose.llamas@VA.GOV]
Sent: Thursday, January 05, 2006 10:40 AM
To: VANEWS-L@WWW.LISTSERV.VA.GOV
Subject: VA News Release - Health Care Access in South Texas
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VA to Study Health Care Access in South Texas
WASHINGTON (January 5, 2006) - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today
announced it will conduct a study to examine veterans' access to health care in
the Coastal Bend-Lower Rio Grande Valley area of Texas.
The study will include projections in the demand for VA's health care services,
taking into account seasonal fluctuations in population and workload. VA agreed
to conduct the study at the request of Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), who
has worked closely with the Department over the years to identify ways to
enhance veterans' access to health care services in South Texas.
"VA remains committed to ensuring that our nation's veterans have convenient
access to important health care services," said the Honorable R. James
Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs. "This study will ensure that veterans
in South Texas are able to obtain the world-class health care they deserve."
"I commend Sen. Hutchison for her continued support and advocacy on this issue
and others affecting veterans," Nicholson added.
The South Texas Veterans Health Care System operates three large outpatient
clinics in the Valley Coastal Bend area (Harlingen, McAllen and Corpus Christi).
These clinics, with more than 140 employees, offer a wide range of services,
including primary care, mental health, social work, laboratory, pharmacy,
physical therapy, women health, radiology and minor procedures.
Recent initiatives to improve veterans' access to health care in the region
include expanded use of contracts with private health care providers, a
partnership with the University of Texas and the use of VA-staffed and
contractor-run community-based outpatient clinics.
In fiscal year 2004, VA spent nearly $5 billion in Texas for health care and
other benefits for the state's 1.7 million veterans.