Sununu Works to Address Lack of Radiation Services at Manchester VA Hospital

Press Release

SUNUNU WORKS TO ADDRESS LACK OF RADIATION SERVICES AT MANCHESTER VA HOSPITAL

In an effort to expand in-state health care for New Hampshire veterans, United States Senator John Sununu (R-NH) today (4/1) asked the Director of the Manchester Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) to provide information regarding the lack of radiation treatment at the facility.

In an April 1 letter to Manchester VA Director Dr. Marc Levenson, Sununu wrote that Granite State veterans have identified a lack of radiation treatment at the Manchester facility as a particular concern and asked how many New Hampshire veterans require radiation treatment and how they are impacted by having to travel out-of-state for treatment.

New Hampshire is the only state without a full-service veterans hospital, forcing some New Hampshire veterans to travel to Massachusetts or Vermont for medical care. After Sununu asked U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary James B. Peake to review the scope of health care services at the VAMC earlier this year, the Secretary responded that the VA would consider expanding needed services at the facility.

The text of Sununu's letter to Dr. Levenson reads:

"As I continue to work to increase access to quality care for veterans, I am writing to you to request your assistance in expanding the in-state care provided to New Hampshire's veterans.

"In January, I wrote the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, James B. Peake, requesting that he review the scope of health care services at the Manchester VA Hospital. New Hampshire's veterans tell me that the lack of a full-service facility results in veterans traveling long distances for medical care; experiencing difficulties finding transportation to and from out-of-state appointments; and enduring long waits for treatment.

"In his response, Secretary Peake stated that the VA continually evaluates the care New Hampshire veterans receive and will consider expanding services as needs are identified. When I speak with our state's veterans, I am frequently told that one of the most important services they lack at the Manchester facility is radiation treatment. In an effort to better understand this problem and begin working towards possible solutions with the VA to expand care in the Granite State, I am requesting information pertaining to the number of New Hampshire veterans who require radiation treatment and how the lack of this service impacts these veterans.

"Like you, I believe New Hampshire veterans deserve the highest quality care, and I look forward to your response as we work to ensure they have access to high quality, timely, and affordable medical care as close to home as possible."

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