Posted on 08/24/2004 7:17:35 AM PDT by Theodore R.
Stenholm sees hope for area VA hospital BY CORY CHANDLER AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
U.S. Rep. Charlie Stenholm does not plan to attend to night's Lubbock town hall meeting hosted by Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony Principi, but the Abilene Democrat said Principi's visit could aid the plight of Big Spring's VA hospital, currently faced with the budgetary ax.
"I welcome the secretary out here," Sten holm said. "I think he will get an earful from the veterans, and that's what he's here for."
Stenholm had just gotten a helping of the same from area veterans. The current District 17 representative — who is vying for the newly redrawn District 19 — visited Lubbock's American Legion Post 575 Monday to conduct a roundtable discussion centering on veterans issues.
Stenholm fielded a number of questions and discussed issues, including the challenge of attracting quality doctors to work in rural VA hospitals. He asked veterans to improve dialogue with their representatives, saying they often do not realize the power they have.
"Don't just complain about the problems," he said. "We know what the problems are. What we need are the solutions."
He encouraged those in attendance to "think outside the box" in coming up with solutions. Part of this includes finding ways to do more with the same amount of money.
"It can't always be about new money. It just can't be," he said.
Stenholm's visit came only a day before Principi is slated to visit the American Legion Post to conduct a town hall meeting.
The visit — although organized by District 19 incumbent Rep. Randy Neugebauer — is not a campaign rally, and a VA spokeswoman has said all District 19 congressional candidates are welcome to attend. Stenholm and Neugebauer, a Lubbock Republican, are pitted against each other following last year's congressional redistricting pushed through the state Legis lature.
Neugebauer has said bringing Principi to the district will help local veterans.
Stenholm said Monday the visit may help Principi understand the vast distances that veterans in rural communities throughout Districts 17 and 19 must travel for health care.
The Big Spring facility serves about 77,000 veterans over a 47-county expanse of West Texas and eastern New Mexico.
The hospital has been targeted for closure under the Capital Realignment for Enhanced Services, or CARES, Plan.
The nationwide reorganization of health care delivery for veterans is expected to save the Department of Veterans Affairs $365 million a year.
"I just cannot conceive of a scenario in which the hospital is closed," Stenholm said.
cory.chandler@lubbockonline.com 766-8722
Stenholm can pretend to be conservative.
But he is still a Democrat.
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