Rep. Bonamici Statement in Response to Shinseki Resignation

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) released the following statement in response to the resignation of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki.

“Secretary Shinseki has been a longtime public servant and advocate for our veterans, but the controversy surrounding these waiting lists has eclipsed the real problem. With his resignation, we can now focus on determining who is responsible for any lack of access to care and holding them accountable. We also need to make changes at our Veterans Affairs facilities to ensure that veterans receive prompt and quality health care.

“I recently visited Portland’s VA Medical Center and spoke with doctors, managers, support staff, and veterans. Thousands of veterans receive critical care from the VA in Portland, but the facility is short-staffed and is grappling with an outdated scheduling software system.

“The problems facing the Veterans Affairs Department are not new, but recent events have brought them back into the light. Our veterans have earned and deserve access to quality health care and other services. It must be our priority to ensure the VA facilities responsible for providing care to millions of our country’s service members are operating effectively, and I am committed to working with my colleagues in Congress to support these goals.”

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