Congressman Jerry McNerney was interviewed Friday on KCBS about veterans affairs issues, including the deplorable conditions at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington. Congressman McNerney serves on the House Veterans Affairs Committee.
The Congressman, whose son Michael is a veteran, said he was "shocked" at the conditions at Walter Reed. He was also blunt about the importance of prioritizing the ongoing treatment and long-term care of veterans, and encouraged President Bush to "put his money where his mouth is" in funding that treatment.
You can listen to the full KCBS interview here.
In February, Congressman McNerney spoke before an advisory panel on the need to keep the Livermore VA nursing home open as well as opening up a new facility in San Joaquin County:
Rep Jerry McNerney, D-Pleasanton, said at Friday's meeting that he hopes there is enough room in the Department of Veterans Affairs' budget for nursing homes in both places. He said the Livermore area's large population of veterans warrants consideration of a facility there.
"We should be expanding, not cutting, veterans' services, and I'm hopeful that the panel will ultimately agree with me," McNerney told the panel. "As we look at future options for the use of Livermore, we must keep in mind that increasing numbers of veterans will be looking to the VA for care as overseas conflicts continue."
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