July 17, 2007

Below is a statement by Rep. Ed Perlmutter on the resignation of Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Jim Nicholson:

"The VA health care system is one of the greatest in the world. Our veterans deserve world class health care, and the next VA secretary will have many challenges to overcome including reducing the claims backlog, shortening the wait time for treatment, screening properly for the mental complications of modern warfare, and investing properly in VA facilities and personnel to prepare for the large numbers of veterans who will be entering the system soon. The VA and the Department of Defense must work together to coordinate the transition of our wounded soldiers from the military health care system to the VA medical system.

Of critical importance is the ability of a new administrator to ensure the seamless transition of the Denver VA Medical Center (VAMC) to the state of the art Anschutz Medical Campus to be built in the 7th Congressional District in Aurora.

We must honor and fulfill our promise to those people who have sacrificed so much for us. I hope President Bush will appoint a VA Secretary who will plan effectively for the future needs of the VA system. I look forward to working with the new secretary to ensure that our Veterans receive the world-class medical treatment they deserve."