SUNUNU: VA TO INCREASE IN-STATE HEALTH CARE SERVICES FOR VETERANS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                CONTACT: BARBARA RILEY

7/25/08                                                                        202-224-2841

                                                                                    LIZ CHAMBERLAIN

                                                                                    603-430-9560

4

SUNUNU: VA TO INCREASE IN-STATE HEALTH CARE SERVICES FOR VETERANS

VA Secretary Peake tells Sununu VAMC plans to offer radiation therapy at New Hampshire hospitals

MANCHESTER, NH - U.S. Senator John Sununu (R-NH) today (7/25) announced that U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary James B. Peake has committed to providing in-state radiation therapy for New Hampshire veterans.  In a May 30 letter to the Secretary and again during Peake’s visit to the Manchester Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) last month, Sununu urged the Secretary to improve access to radiation treatment so that veterans would not have to travel out-of-state for cancer treatments.

In a reply letter to Sununu dated July 23, Peake wrote that the VA has determined that several hospitals in southern New Hampshire are capable of providing radiation therapy, and that he has directed the VAMC to begin a competitive bidding process for contract services.  According to Peake, the VA expects that one or more local facilities will provide radiation therapy services to New Hampshire veterans by the end of February 2009.

“New Hampshire veterans have told me that the lack of local radiation treatment is one of their top concerns, because it forces cancer-stricken veterans to make lengthy trips for critical care.  I am pleased that Secretary Peake has now agreed to make these life-saving services available here in the Granite State,” said Sununu.  “In addition, I understand that the VA fee-basis program will cover the cost of radiation treatment for all service-connected veterans starting immediately.  This is great news for our veterans and their families, and I will continue to work to expand access to the quality care that Granite State veterans have earned and deserve.”

“VAMC Manchester is pleased to begin to offer radiation therapy services to eligible enrolled veterans,” said Dr. Marc Levenson, Director of the VAMC.   “The services will be performed at non-VA facilities in New Hampshire which possess this capability.  Initially, the services will be limited to service connected veterans. The expectation is that, by the end of 2008, the service will be available to all veterans enrolled at the Medical Center.  This initiative represents a significant improvement in access to care for New Hampshire veterans.  It will further decrease the need to refer New Hampshire veterans outside of New Hampshire.”

The text of Peake’s July 23, 2008, letter reads as follows:

Dear Senator Sununu:

This is in response to your letter regarding improving access to radiation treatment for veterans residing in New Hampshire. It was a pleasure meeting with you on June 24, 2008, as I visited the Manchester Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC).

I am actively pursuing plans to improve access to care for enrolled veterans, including exploring options that would lead to veterans' health care being provided in or near their home communities. I have discussed the care being provided to Manchester veterans, with a focus on radiation treatment services, with the leadership of the New England Veterans Integrated Service Network and the Manchester VAMC.

At my request, the VAMC gathered information on the sources of radiation treatment therapy provided in the local community. We determined that several local community hospitals in Southern New Hampshire are capable of providing these services. I am in full support of the Manchester VAMC contracting for these treatment services. The VAMC is currently exploring contract services through a competitive bidding process. It will take approximately six months to establish the necessary contract(s). We anticipate that by the end of February 2009 New Hampshire veterans can be referred to a single local facility or facilities for radiation therapy services.

VAMC leadership will continue to assess health care needs, monitor workload, and review the services provided in order to enhance our customer service initiatives. Through these mechanisms, we will continue to ensure that we are meeting the needs of veterans.

Thank you for your interest in and support of our Nation’s veterans.

                                                              Sincerely yours,

                                                              James B. Peake, M.D.