Washington, DC– U.S. Congressman Charles W. Boustany, Jr. MD (R-South Louisiana) today issued the following statement after reviewing the Alexandria Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center’s announcement on an upgraded Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in Lafayette and establishing a CBOC in Lake Charles:

“We have made significant progress this year in advancing these projects, but our work is far from over,” Boustany said.  “We are one step closer to an expanded and improved VA Clinic for the Lafayette and Acadiana area.  However, the delay on the Lake Charles CBOC is concerning and I am dedicated to working with the veterans in the Calcasieu area to break through any delays and impediments.  I will carefully and closely monitor the situation to make sure the VA is taking the necessary steps to set up the Lake Charles clinic.  The debt we owe our nation’s veterans is tremendous, as they risked their lives to protect our freedoms.  Access to quality health care is critical for all veterans in South Louisiana.”

The Department of Veterans Affairs released the following statement regarding the VA clinic in Lafayette and Lake Charles:

Lafayette CBOC: The Alexandria VAMC has selected an offeror and we are negotiating the floor plan/layout and total square footage.  Upon acceptance of the floor plan/layout and total square footage, the VAMC will proceed with the price negotiation.  It is anticipated that the price negotiation should begin on or about October 11, 2011 and take approximately 30 days.

Lake Charles CBOC: “Draft” copy of the contract lease was submitted to Regional Counsel and the VISN Contract Review Board (CRB) on September 13, 2011.  The independent appraisal is due on September 23, 2011.  Based on preliminary review, there are concerns with the negotiated price.  The CRB recommends the Alexandria VAMC re-open negotiations/discussions with the selected offeror.  The projected award has been pushed back to November 1, 2011.

Since his first Congressional term in 2005, Boustany has been in regular communication with Veterans Affairs officials in Louisiana and Washington, DC, including Alexandria VA Medical Center Director Gracie Specks and Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki, to expand the facility in Lafayette and to establish a facility in Lake Charles.  Boustany has organized meetings with interested parties, sent letters to officials in support of the projects and met with officials to discuss the medical needs and importance of the clinics.

###