Health Care for Veterans Addressed by Obama, Shinseki

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, August 17, 2009
CONTACT: Chrissy Stevens, IAVA, (212) 982-9699, Chrissy@iava.org

Follow IAVA on Twitter.com/IAVAPressRoom

Health Care for Veterans Addressed by President Obama, Secretary Shinseki at VFW Convention and Town Hall Meetings 

IAVA: VA Health Care Must be Protected 

NEW YORK—Today, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation’s first and largest non-partisan, nonprofit organization representing veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, issued the following statement in response to the President’s remarks at the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Convention in Phoenix and two town hall meetings focusing on veterans’ issues conducted by Senator Arlen Specter and VA Secretary Eric Shinseki in Pennsylvania:

“Today, veterans nationwide listened closely as President Obama and Secretary Shinseki addressed the implications of health care reform for the VA.

IAVA is committed to ensuring that veterans’ health care is protected. We are focused on protecting existing VA and DoD coverage, and pushing for expanded services, eligibility and access for veterans of all generations.  

Despite some challenges, the VA is largely effective in delivering high-quality services to millions of veterans. While access to care remains an issue, the VA is seen as a leader in the health care industry for its medical research and electronic health records.  Any national health care reform plan must ensure that all veterans can continue to take full advantage of VA health care without penalty or cost.

With the country now focused on this issue, there is no better time to address the unique health care challenges facing veterans. The national dialogue should not only center on protecting VA care, but also on ways Washington can reform and modernize the VA system that currently serves 8 million veterans. In the coming months, politicians on both sides of the aisle must work together to improve mental health care, expand rural access to the VA, and improve services for female veterans.”

To arrange an interview with Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff or a member veteran using VA healthcare, contact Chrissy Stevens, 212-982-9699, Chrissy@iava.org.

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (www.IAVA.org) is the country's first and largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and has more than 125,000 veteran members and civilian supporters nationwide. Its mission is to improve the lives of this country's newest generation of veterans and their families.

###