FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                   Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Contact: Senator Jack Barnes

(603) 271-6931

SENATOR BARNES URGES SUPPORT FOR VETERANS MEDICAL CENTER

CONCORD – Senator Jack Barnes Jr. (R-Raymond) urged members of the House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs Committee today to support Senate Concurrent Resolution 7, calling for full services to be restored at the Manchester Veterans Administration Medical Center.

“I want it back to a full-fledged veteran’s hospital so our people don’t have to drive to Boston or White River Junction. It’s a two-hour drive and they don’t necessarily get seen right away. They’re down there all day -- 10, 12 hours. And if they’re admitted to the hospital, it’s hard for family to see them. That’s the problem,” Barnes said.

Support for the resolution also was offered by the New Hampshire Medical Society at the hearing today.

Questions from committee members focused generally on way to improve access to health care services for New Hampshire’s veterans, including better transportation options and seeking federal approval to allow veterans to get their needs met at local civilian hospitals. The committee must make a recommendation on the resolution by May 8 for consideration by the full House.

The Senate voted 24-0 in support of SCR 7 on Jan. 24 and followed up with a letter to Secretary of Veterans Affairs James Peake asking that full services be reinstated at the Manchester veteran’s facility.

The issue also has drawn attention from New Hampshire’s congressional delegation, who invited the chairman of the U.S. House Veterans Affairs Committee, California Congressman Bob Filner, to tour the Manchester VA Medical Center in March.

The federal lawmakers met with state leaders, including Senate President Sylvia Larsen and House Speaker Terie Norelli. Congresswoman Carol Shea Porter and Congressman Paul Hodes, who organized the meeting, have said they will continue to advocate for New Hampshire’s veterans in Washington D.C. on this and other issues.

“New Hampshire is the only state in the country that lacks a full service veterans’ medical center,” said Senate President Sylvia Larsen (D-Concord). “We believe our veterans deserve to get their health care needs met here in their home state, where they can remain close to family and friends.”