Vitter and Boustany Announce New Details on VA Clinics in Lafayette, Lake Charles

Press Release

Senator David Vitter (R-Louisiana) and Congressman Charles W. Boustany, Jr., MD (R-South Louisiana), received a response to their March 20, 2015, letterto Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) Robert McDonald expressing the urgent need for the VA to act quickly in Lafayette and Lake Charles to build long-overdue VA clinics.

In the VA's response, written by VA Deputy Secretary Sloan Gibson, the agency disclosed further information about upcoming clinics in Lafayette and Lake Charles. The full letter is attached.

Lafayette:The VA will issue a formal Request for Lease Proposal for a temporary clinic in Lafayette sometime in Spring 2015, estimating a lease will be awarded for a temporary clinic at the end of Summer 2015.

Lake Charles:After continuing delays of the Lake Charles facility, the VA has requested revised proposals and has "identified a prospective successful offer that qualifies as an operating lease." The VA estimates a lease will be awarded at the end of Summer 2015.

On a recent phone call with Congressman Boustany, VA Deputy Secretary Sloan Gibson told the Congressman the VA has authorized a temporary clinic for Lake Charles and VA staff is currently working with community members to identify temporary clinic space.

Vitter said: "We aren't taking any progress on these clinics for granted. The least the VA can do is set up temporary space for our veterans, but this is only the first step. We absolutely owe it to our veterans to provide them with the best and most accessible care possible, and we aren't going to let up until both of these clinics are completed."

Boustany said: "Senator Vitter and I are continuing to keep pressure on the VA to provide much-needed care for our local veterans, and we're not backing down. I'm pleased the VA is acting to provide temporary space for local veterans while permanent facilities are constructed. Senator Vitter and I won't stop until these clinics open their doors, and we'll keep pushing the VA to act in a manner that reflects the extremely urgent needs of Louisiana veterans."

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