(Washington, DC)  – Congressman Charles W. Boustany, Jr., M.D. (R-South Louisiana), released the following statement after the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced a severe setback regarding the progress of South Louisiana’s VA Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC):

“This disappointing news comes at an awful time for veterans in South Louisiana. After years of hard work and dedication to make the upgraded VA clinics a reality, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced a delay of both VA CBOCs in Lake Charles and Lafayette. In essence, it decided to press the ‘reset’ button on the clinics after giving false assurances and hope to those who fought for our freedom. Furthermore, the VA failed to notify me of its decision. 

“I demand a full explanation from the Department of Veterans Affairs accompanied with its solution rectifying this debacle. I refuse to have veterans of South Louisiana wait any longer, much less three years, for these vital healthcare clinics to break ground due to bureaucratic incompetence.

“In the wake of these alarming developments, I am seeking to meet with Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki as soon as possible. This delay is completely unacceptable.”     

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