Secretary Shinseki, Hoyer and Chow Discuss Plans To Improve Services for Southern Maryland Veterans

CHARLOTTE HALL, MD – Today,  U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5) and Maryland's Secretary of Veterans Affairs Edward Chow, Jr., joined residents and staff from Charlotte Hall Veterans Home, and community leaders for a meeting and tour of the VA community-based outpatient clinic (CBOC) in Southern Maryland, and for a discussion on the health care needs of Southern Maryland Veterans.  The tour and discussion was followed by a roundtable with Fifth District veterans.

As part of today's events, Rep. Hoyer, Secretary Shinseki, and Maryland's Secretary Chow met with Tri-County Council of Southern Maryland's Veterans Regional Advisory Committee and local veterans to discuss proposed plans for getting a new VA outpatient clinic co-located with a vets center for the region's 40,000 veterans.  Today's meeting allowed participants to discuss the VA's strategy for continuing outreach to Southern Maryland veterans, their progress to date on increasing the capacity of the clinic, and plans for expanding further integrated services for veterans in the Southern Maryland region.

"We are pleased to have Secretary Shinseki, who has been a true advocate and leader on behalf of our nation's veterans, join us today for a conversation on the issues specific to the current needs of our tri-county veterans," stated Rep. Hoyer. "It is important that we listen and understand the challenges facing veterans today, and work to identify and meet the needs of our veteran population who have sacrificed much of their lives on behalf of our country.  Supporting our troops and veterans means taking action to provide them with the resources they need and the benefits they have earned.  The 76,000 veterans in the Fifth District, and particularly those who live in the community and need to access a full complement of medical services  must know that we are committed to providing them with a quality of life, quality care, and quality services that are accessible."

"Congressman Hoyer and the Congress have provided steadfast leadership on Veterans issues, providing enhanced budgets that have put our Veterans first," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki.  "One of my key priorities at VA is to expand access to VA care to all Veterans, whether they live in rural or urban areas.  Today we had a productive discussion to ensure that Veterans in Southern Maryland have access to the quality services that they have earned."

"We look forward to continuing the working relationship with our partners and with Secretary Shinseki and Congressman Hoyer in providing quality care and services for our veterans," said Secretary Chow.

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