PRINTER'S NO. 3703
No. 682 Session of 2004
INTRODUCED BY STERN, BEBKO-JONES, MUSTIO, HARPER, BAKER,
LEDERER, DiGIROLAMO, PALLONE, WEBER, SURRA, GOODMAN, SOLOBAY,
J. EVANS, GOOD, SAYLOR, FAIRCHILD, HENNESSEY, HARHAI, ZUG,
SATHER, MAJOR, LEH, PHILLIPS, SANTONI, JAMES, HANNA,
CRAHALLA, McCALL, GEORGE, DeWEESE, KENNEY, KIRKLAND, TIGUE,
WALKO, BASTIAN, THOMAS, FICHTER, READSHAW, LAUGHLIN, GEIST,
MUNDY, MANN, DONATUCCI, S. MILLER, BELARDI, HUTCHINSON,
CLYMER, CAPPELLI, WHEATLEY, REICHLEY, T. STEVENSON,
R. STEVENSON, HARRIS, SCAVELLO, FEESE, BISHOP, LESCOVITZ,
COY, E. Z. TAYLOR, MARKOSEK, BALDWIN, FABRIZIO, SHANER,
BELFANTI, BOYD, ALLEN, KILLION, JOSEPHS, PAYNE, ROBERTS,
WANSACZ, WOJNAROSKI, FORCIER, BIANCUCCI, ARMSTRONG, GINGRICH,
PETRARCA, KELLER, CORRIGAN, EGOLF, CAUSER, DENLINGER,
GRUCELA, HASAY, MARSICO, HARHART, YOUNGBLOOD, SEMMEL, CRUZ,
DALEY, BUNT, HESS, DALLY, PISTELLA, HORSEY, MILLARD,
SAMUELSON, BLAUM AND MELIO, APRIL 13, 2004
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY
PREPAREDNESS, APRIL 13, 2004
A RESOLUTION
1 Urging the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to further
2 evaluate the negative effects of the proposed realignment of
3 veterans services and to consider alternative measures.
4 WHEREAS, There are ten VA medical centers and 29 community-
5 based outpatient clinics located in the Commonwealth of
6 Pennsylvania; and
7 WHEREAS, Nationwide the VA patient load has risen
8 approximately 21% since 2001 to more than 6 million; and
9 WHEREAS, The Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services
10 (CARES) Commission is considering the closure or partial
11 reduction of services at VA medical centers in Altoona, Butler,
1 Erie and Pittsburgh; and
2 WHEREAS, Many veterans service organizations oppose these
3 proposed closures or reductions in service and consequent
4 adverse effects on the quality and efficiency of health care for
5 veterans throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; therefore
6 be it
7 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the
8 Commonwealth of Pennsylvania strongly urge the Department of
9 Veterans Affairs to further evaluate the negative effects of the
10 proposed realignment of veterans services and to consider
11 alternative measures for the provision and enhancement of
12 quality health care for veterans in the Commonwealth of
13 Pennsylvania; and be it further
14 RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be sent to the
15 President of the United States, to the Department of Veterans
16 Affairs, to the presiding officers of each house of Congress and
17 to each member of Congress from Pennsylvania.
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