Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025
Floor Speech
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Mr. JAMES. Madam Chair, I rise in support of my amendment, an effort to bring a mobile medical unit and/or community-based outpatient clinic to my district, Michigan's 10th Congressional District.
There was a recent announcement from the VA that mobile medical units are coming to Arizona and Texas. I believe there is also a very high demand for them in Michigan. Many veterans, particularly those who served in Korea and Vietnam in my district have come to me directly, whether at the VFW Post 6691 in Fraser, Michigan, where I am now a member, or just recently at the Memorial Day parade in Sterling Heights about the need to have greater access to healthcare facilities for those who may be declining in their mobility as they age.
Currently, many veterans in Macomb County have to travel too far and too long to get the services they deserve. It is for this reason that we need to bring one closer to home, directly where they are needed most.
While the Dingell VA has made some strides to improve healthcare for veterans in the metro Detroit area, there is still a great deal of work to be done. I heard from women veterans, in particular, in my district office about the need to have more choice and better quality of services but also about staff turnover rate that is affecting their quality of care. Community-based outpatient clinics and mobile medical units are a path toward allowing veterans to get more specialized, local-based care in a manner that they have very much earned.
As we commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day this week, we honor the brave American soldiers who fought our Nation's wars abroad so we may enjoy the privileges of freedom at home. As someone who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom myself, I believe that their sacrifices should be honored through our work here in Congress.
I know firsthand about the transition from military life to civilian life. It is not easy. The least we can do is make VA healthcare more available and accessible to our veterans. My amendment will further these aims through funding for facilities like mobile medical units and community-based outpatient clinics.
Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Chair, I claim the time in opposition, although I am not opposed to the amendment.
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Mr. JAMES. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
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