Cohen Welcomes VA Secretary McDonald to Memphis at AMVETS Convention
[MEMPHIS, TN] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today welcomed U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) Robert A. McDonald to Memphis as he addressed the 70th Annual National Convention of American Veterans (AMVETS), which is taking place this week at the Memphis Cook Convention Center. Following his repeated requests that high-ranking VA officials visit the Memphis VA Medical Center (VAMC) to better understand the needs of the local veteran community, Congressman Cohen will also join Secretary McDonald tomorrow as the Secretary visits the facility and meets with local stakeholders and veteran service organization representatives.
“Any delay in providing care to the brave men and women who risked their lives for our safety is unacceptable and they deserve to receive the highest quality of care available,” said Congressman Cohen. “Since reports of substandard and delayed care at VA Medical Centers here at home and around the nation arose, one of my top priorities has been to ensure the senior VA leadership visit our city and see firsthand the issues we face here in Memphis. I was glad that Acting Deputy Under Secretary Jan Murphy accepted my invitation in June, and I am pleased to welcome our new VA Secretary Robert McDonald to Memphis. Secretary McDonald is the right man at the right time, and I hope that his visit to the Memphis VA Medical Center tomorrow signals his department’s improved focus on swiftly and fully addressing the concerns of our veteran community.”
In welcoming Secretary McDonald to Memphis at the AMVETS Convention, Congressman Cohen also praised President Obama’s choice in selecting McDonald for the position, and he praised McDonalds continued service to our country. This week’s visit by Secretary McDonald follows a visit to the Memphis VAMC by Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Operations and Management Jan Murphy. Following then-Secretary Eric Shinseki’s resignation, Acting Deputy Under Secretary Murphy visited the facility in June on Congressman Cohen’s invitation and joined him at a town hall meeting with over 150 Mid-south veterans to discuss ongoing concerns about scheduling and the quality of care at the Memphis Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC).