For Release: Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Contact: David Gillies: 202-225-5661
COSTELLO STATEMENT ON MEETING WITH DR. GERALD CROSS OF THE VA REGARDING MARION VA MEDICAL CENTER SURGERY UNIT
Washington - U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) issued the following statement regarding his meeting today with Dr. Gerald Cross, Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Health with the Veterans' Administration (VA), on the status of the investigation of the surgery unit at the Marion VA Medical Center.
"I underscored to Dr. Cross that the most important thing that the VA can be doing at this point is sharing pertinent information not only with our congressional delegation but with the public. While the investigation must be thorough, there are critical questions that need to be answered in regard to the review of doctors - particularly Dr. Veizaga-Mendez - and procedures, and we need these answers right away.
"Above all else, this incident will require a thorough documentation of the facts to the public and the steps taken to rectify the problems found so that the surgery unit can reopen with full public confidence, and Dr. Cross indicated that he will work to ensure that a public meeting does occur. Anyone with questions about previous or current medical treatment at the Marion VA Medical Center should document the concern in a letter to my Carbondale office - 250 W. Cherry St., 62901 - and we will get the information to the VA."
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