Washington, DC – U.S. Rep. John Hall (D-NY19), Chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, met with General Eric Shinseki, the new Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, this week to discuss their priorities for the Veterans Administration (VA) and the best ways to help America's veterans. The discussion highlighted increasing access and treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, reducing the backlog of disability benefits of wounded veterans, the future of Montrose VA hospital, and transforming the VA to be a 21st century, veteran friendly institution.

 

"It was an honor to meet with Secretary Shinseki," stated Hall. "He is a man of extremely high repute and, as a wounded veteran himself, understands the critical need to provide the best treatment for disabled veterans."

 

As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, Congressman Hall has worked tirelessly on increasing treatment for PTSD and reducing the backlog of disability claims at the VA, which now tops 800,000. Last year, Hall wrote and passed the Veterans Disability Benefits Claims Modernization Act, now Public Law 110-389, that is providing the largest overhaul of the VA in over a generation.

 

"I spoke with Secretary Shinseki about the need for the urgent, yet careful, implementation of the Claims Modernization Act that I wrote so that we can streamline the VA into an efficient system that will give our nation's veterans timely and quality care. As someone who went through the system himself, Secretary Shinseki was able to offer keen insight on the best ways to make this happen," said Hall.

 

The discussion also highlighted the future of the Montrose VA hospital, which is currently undergoing the Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES) process. Sections of the Montrose hospital are unused and in need of repair, and the VA has solicited Request for Proposals (RFP) from developers on ideas for enhanced-use leases on the property.

 

"Veterans need to be the focus of any development on the land and veterans must remain the highest priority," said Congressman Hall. "Montrose provides quality care to local veterans, and it should continue to do so. I pledged to work with Secretary Shinseki in overseeing the process."

 

As the 7th Secretary to enter the post, General Shinseki paves a new way forward for the Veterans Affairs department.

 

"As a graduate of West Point, recipient of two Purple Hearts, three Bronze Stars and a former Chief of Staff of the Army, Secretary Shinseki brings with him unparalleled experience. I am confident that the VA will undoubtedly improve under his leadership, and I pledge my support in working together to serve our veterans as they have served us," stated Congressman Hall.

 

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