Amata Reiterates AS Veterans’ Issues to VA Secretary
Washington, D.C. –Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata, attended a House Veterans Affairs Committee (HVAC) breakfast Tuesday morning where she met with VA Secretary, David Shulkin, and highlighted some of the issues affecting our veterans in American Samoa.
Congresswoman Amata and Members of the House Veterans Affairs Committee meet with VA Secretary Shulkin over breakfast at VA Headquarters in Washington on Tuesday
"During our breakfast meeting, I wanted to make sure that I restated some of the issues facing our veterans in American Samoa to Secretary Shulkin. As you may know, access to VA resources and services is an ongoing concern for our veterans," stated Amata. "LBJ Hospital lacks the services and facilities to treat our veterans, which means that our local veterans must travel thousands of miles to receive even the most basic care. This places not only a high financial cost on the American taxpayer, but also unnecessary stress and hardship on veterans seeking care and their families," continued the Congresswoman. "Another issue that I would like to see rectified in the near future is that of creating a dignified and hallowed space for our heroes to be laid to rest. I will be working with the VA to finally get a veterans' cemetery in American Samoa," stated Amata.
During the meeting, HVAC members held a candid discussion with Secretary Shulkin regarding VA's priorities for FY 2018. Among the concerns raised by the Congresswoman were the access to healthcare, the lack of a VA cemetery on the island, and other issues facing our veterans in the Pacific.
"I want to thank Secretary Shulkin for inviting us to share breakfast with him, as well as for his responsive attention to our concerns as the VA formulates their new priorities. We must do all we can to ensure that all of our veterans are being given the services and care they have earned" concluded Amata.
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