Mcnerney: I Oppose This Plan

Press Release

MCNERNEY: I OPPOSE THIS PLAN

Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Jerry McNerney released the following statement in reaction VA Secretary Nicholson's announcement about the Livermore VA Medical Center.

"It appears the Bush Administration is determined to cut veterans' services at a time when they should be expanded. In fact, cutting back on services now is shortsighted. Our commitments overseas are creating a new generation of veterans, whose impact on the VA system has yet to be fully realized.

"I told Secretary Nicholson when I met with him in May and July that I oppose the restriction or elimination of services for veterans in the Tri-Valley and the Central Valley. That is why I oppose this plan.

"Although the plan includes the addition of a needed nursing home in the Central Valley, it calls for a harmful reduction of services in the Tri-Valley. It is wrong to pit veterans in the Central Valley against veterans in the Tri-Valley as is being done with the relocation of the Livermore nursing home to a Central Valley location. We need expanded services in both locations so that we can treat veterans locally.

"Today's announcement has been a long time coming. Unfortunately for the veterans in our region who served their country and rely on VA services, the announcement is noticeably and disappointingly short on details. Because Secretary Nicholson is set to resign from his post October 1, that means waiting even longer to hear the true fate of veterans' care in our region.

"As a member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, I will continue to fight for the needs of veterans in the Tri-Valley and the Central Valley, and to ensure all veterans are treated with the respect they have earned."

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