Their request has been answered, for the most part.

Earlier this month, U.S. Senator David Vitter and Congressman Charles Boustany asked Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald to visit our state to see ongoing problems within the VA firsthand. Well, the Deputy Secretary of the VA Sloan Gibson will visit Lafayette on Monday, February 23, and New Orleans on Tuesday, February 24.

“From delayed clinics to missed payments, veterans in Louisiana have lost confidence in the VA," says Vitter. "We absolutely owe it to our veterans to provide them with the best and most accessible care possible, and Deputy Secretary Gibson’s visit will be an important first step to reform this broken system.”

“Mounting problems within the VA in Louisiana, including missed payments threatening the credit ratings of veterans and a casework backlog hindering access to care, are too large for VA officials in Washington to ignore," says Boustany. "I am confident Deputy Secretary Gibson will learn firsthand there are significant reforms needed to reverse the apathy and disorganization exhibited by his agency in our state. I look forward to working with him to achieve the world-class care we know our veterans deserve.”

The details of Gibson's visit are below:

Lafayette, Louisiana Stakeholder Meeting:

Monday, February 23, 2015
Lafayette Community Based Outpatient Clinic (2100 Jefferson Street, Lafayette, LA  70501)
Room Location: Building B - Auditorium
3:00 PM – 3:45 PM (local time) Deputy Secretary meets with Congressional members and senior staff, local VSO leadership, and other local/regional officials

To RSVP for the Lafayette stakeholder event or if you have any issues the day of the event, such as locating Building B, please contact Mr. Richard Mitchell at Richard.Mitchell1@va.gov or (318) 447-8429.

New Orleans, Louisiana Stakeholder Meeting:

Tuesday, February 24, 2015
New Orleans Replacement VA Medical Center (Pan-AM Building; 2400 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70112)
Room Location: First Floor Auditorium - Room 1Q115
1:45 PM - 2:45 PM (Local time) Deputy Secretary meets with Congressional members and senior staff, local VSO leadership, and other local/regional officials

To RSVP for the New Orleans stakeholder event or if you have any issues the day of the event, such as locating Room 1Q115, please contact Ms. Amanda Jones at Amanda.Jones6@va.gov or (504) 565-4852.

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