Hoyer Joins Conference Call for Update on VA Baltimore Regional Office

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5) joined White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough and Members of the Maryland House Delegation on a conference call following McDonough’s visit to the Department of Veterans Affairs Baltimore Regional Office, which is working to improve the claims process for Maryland veterans.

“I thank Denis McDonough for visiting the Baltimore Regional Office today as part of the Administration’s continued effort to end the unacceptable backlog of disability claims filed by veterans in Maryland and across the country,” stated Congressman Hoyer. “While we still have much more work to do to end the backlog, I’m pleased the Baltimore Regional Office is receiving the training and resources needed to improve its operations, including the implementation of an electronic system to process claims ahead of schedule. Already, we’re seeing improvements at the Baltimore Office, with the backlog decreasing and less errors in processing the claims. I look forward to working with the Administration, the Maryland Delegation, veterans service organizations, and other stakeholders to continue making progress and ensure we are meeting our obligation to veterans and their families.”

Last month, Congressman Hoyer invited the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Eric Shinseki, to meet with the Maryland House Delegation to discuss how the VA is working to improve operations at the Baltimore Regional Office. Congressman Hoyer also hosted a briefing between veterans service organizations, community stakeholders, and the Director of the Baltimore Regional Office, Michael Scheibel, in the Fifth District to discuss improvements being made at the Office and how veterans service organizations can help assist veterans in filing claims.