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Pearce: I Continue To Seek Answers From Albuquerque VA

Rep. Steve Pearce (R) New Mexico

  Congressman Steve Pearce met for the second time with administrators of the Albuquerque VA Medical Center Friday to discuss the ongoing concerns about the VA Health Care system and veterans services. He announced plans for a pilot program in Southeast New Mexico for veterans to see local doctors for specialty care. Congressman Pearce also again engaged with VA administrators, asking them for transparency in answers to patient lists.

“Friday’s meeting with the Albuquerque VA Medical Center was productive. We engaged in a full range of discussions dealing with veterans waiting too long for care and inadequate staffing,” said Congressman Steve Pearce. “We did not agree on everything. I am continuing to ask for answers to failures in patient care, establishing a patient satisfaction measurement program, and results of the investigation into the local system and regional medical clinics. Dr. James Robbins and I had a productive conversation about the VA Medical Center’s progress, but I remain concerned about overall resistance to openness and transparency.”

The Albuquerque VA Medical Center again declined to allow media to attend Friday’s meeting. Congressman Pearce highlighted the results of a recent survey that showed 76 percent of New Mexico veterans support a state investigation into the problems of the VA Medical Center.