On Monday, Congressman Juan Ciscomani and Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins strongly pushed back on false claims that mission-critical positions within the VA will be cut, causing possible disruptions in the delivery of care and benefits.
During a tour of Southern Arizona VA Health Care System in Tucson, both the Congressman and the Secretary reiterated their shared commitment to care for the men and women who’ve served our country in uniform.
“Don’t believe the lies,” Ciscomani said. “No one is talking about cutting positions for anyone that provides direct care or benefits to veterans. No one is talking about eliminating services. Our goal is to make sure veterans in Arizona and across the country get the best possible care we can provide.”
The Secretary spent Monday morning with Ciscomani in Tucson, meeting with the Congressman’s Veterans Advisory Council, touring the Tucson VA and discussing services to veterans with hospital leadership.
“One of the things that I spend 50 percent of my time on is basically fighting back against inuendo and rumor about what’s going on at the VA by those who think they know what’s going on at the VA,” Secretary Collins said.
Ciscomani, a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, represents a district with nearly 80,000 veterans, one of the largest veteran populations of any Congressional district in the country. His Veterans Advisory Council includes community leaders like Sierra Vista Mayor Clea McCaa and Sahuarita Mayor Tom Murphy.
“It is my duty, and honor, to advocate on behalf of veterans to ensure their needs are prioritized by the federal government,” said Ciscomani. “I am incredibly grateful to Secretary Collins for his leadership, our shared commitment to veterans, and for taking the time to talk with those who served, tour VA facilities in Tucson, and counter false narratives about cuts to mission-critical employees, healthcare, and benefits. Secretary Collins is a fantastic partner. I look forward to continuing working together to modernize and improve the VA to deliver on our promise to our veterans.”
“Under President Trump’s leadership, VA is challenging the status quo to find new and better ways of serving America’s heroes,” said Secretary Collins. “As part of that effort, we’re visiting VA facilities in Tucson and across the nation to see what’s working and what needs improvement. We will reform the department to make it work better for America’s Veterans, families, caregivers and survivors, and we thank Rep. Ciscomani for his support.”
I have been a recipient of the VA Health Care system for about 25 years after suffering disabilities while serving in Viet Nam. I have personally witnessed how the quality of health care either rises or falls according to what political party is in power. When Republicans are in charge, health care appears to improve dramatically. Under Democrat rule the quality of Health Care appears to falter. VA employees are more on edge and disrespectful. Waiting times for Physician appointments take longer and prescribed medications take forever to process. Their is a distinct difference in how Republicans respect the Veteran community as opposed to Democrats. This needs to change!