Boustany Announces Open House for VA Clinic in Lake Charles and New Services in VA Clinic in Lafayette

Statement

Congressman Charles W. Boustany, Jr., M.D. (R-South Louisiana), released the following statement after receiving the second monthly update from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) since the announced delay of the upgraded Lafayette and proposed Lake Charles VA Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC):

"As part of VA Secretary Eric Shinseki's office commitment to follow through on my request for detailed, monthly updates of the VA's ongoing process to reconcile the CBOC process in both Lafayette and Lake Charles; the news from the VA relayed expanded services being offered in Lafayette's CBOC. Basic health services, from dental care to optical services, became available earlier this month. Many other services, including cardiology and surgery consultations, are on target to become available next month in Lafayette.

"The VA mobile clinic in Lake Charles made imaging and x-ray services, along with dental care and optical services, available last month. Next month, primary care services in addition to women's health services will become available. I encourage veterans and their families across South Louisiana to attend an Open House on May 25 to celebrate the opening of the mobile clinic in Lake Charles. This Open House will be in conjunction with the VA Medical Center. I will continue to fight for a facility for the veterans of Lake Charles and will not rest until I see the doors open.

"South Louisiana veterans received a lot of good news today. However, I still remain frustrated with the VA's lack of a response regarding a letter I sent over two months ago seeking detailed answers about the debacle involving the VA's contracting process. In addition to new, state-of-the-art CBOCs for our veterans, I hope to see a reply from Secretary Shinseki in the near future."

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