Livermore VA Update

Dear Friend,

You may have heard of the appalling "secret waiting lists" for veterans seeking care at the Phoenix Veterans Affairs (VA) Hospital. This attempt to cover up delays is an outrageous affront to our veterans. Those that bravely served our country deserve much better.

In light of these disturbing findings, I am working to ensure that veterans are not experiencing similar problems at VA hospitals and medical centers in the East Bay. On May 27, 2014, I visited to the Livermore VA Hospital and personally met with Elizabeth Freeman, the Director of the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHC) to ensure that East Bay veterans are receiving the health care they deserve. I also met with veterans living at the facility in Livermore, requested their feedback, and discussed how we can better serve their needs.

Although there is no evidence of "secret waiting lists" here locally, there are steps we can and must take to improve care for all veterans. For example, I find it shocking that veterans cannot schedule an appointment online. We must work to update the VA's IT infrastructure to ensure that veterans can easily access the services they have earned.

Additionally, we must give the VA the resources and flexibility needed to hire the nation's brightest doctors, nurses, caregivers, and staff to best serve our veterans. I sent a letter to the VA calling for a nationwide investigation of VA hospitals and voted for H.R. 4031, the Department of Veterans Affairs Management Accountability Act, to make it easier to remove poorly performing employees so we can hold the VA accountable and provide veterans with the best care our nation can offer.

Do you or any veteran you know have a problem with the VA Palo Alto Health Care System? If so, please let me know.

As always, it is an honor to represent you in the U.S. Congress. Visit my website or contact my East Bay offices at 510-370-3322 or 925-460-5100 if we can be of service in any way. To stay connected, join me on Twitter @RepSwalwell, Facebook, and, if you have not done so already, please sign up to continue receiving my e-newsletter.

Sincerely,

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Eric Swalwell
Member of Congress