(Washington, DC)  – Congressman Charles W. Boustany, Jr., M.D. (R-South Louisiana), released the following statement after meeting with officials from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today in Washington. Boustany discussed the recent letter he addressed to Eric Shinseki, Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, regarding the setbacks of South Louisiana VA Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC):

“Today, I restated my frustration and concern with VA officials regarding these clinic delays in South Louisiana. After echoing Secretary Shinseki’s admissions about errors being made on the agency’s part, VA officials reiterated the fact the agency was solely responsible and will re-solicit proposals.   

“I asked very direct and detailed questions on behalf of veterans of South Louisiana, as well as contractors of the CBOCs, outlined in my letter to the Secretary. Moving forward, my office will be receiving monthly updates from the Secretary on these clinics. The VA must be held accountable for its mistakes, and I expect it to move forward in an expedited manner with regard to these clinics. I will continue pursuing answers to inquiries on behalf of my constituents until both the Lafayette and Lake Charles CBOCs are open to serve South Louisiana veterans.”     

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Boustany has been the leading advocate for veterans’ healthcare regarding the upgrade of clinics in Lake Charles and Lafayette and will continue advocating for those who fought on behalf of this country.