Published: 06-21-07
Corpus Christi — A resolution sponsored by Hidalgo County Judge J.D. Salinas which calls for the passage of H.R. 538 also known as the “South Texas Veterans Access to Care Act of 2007” was unanimously passed by the South Texas County Judges’ and Commissioners’ Association today at the group’s conference in Corpus Christi.The South Texas County Judges’ and Commissioners’ Association represents 67 counties in Texas. These 67 counties are now behind the ever-growing push for a Veterans Administration hospital south of San Antonio.
H.R. 538 — introduced by Rep. Solomon Ortiz and co-sponsored by Congressman Hinojosa Cuellar and Doggett — states the current and future health care needs of approximately 114000 identified veterans residing in South Texas are not being met by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
The bill calls for either 1) a public-private venture to provide inpatient services and long-term care at an existing facility in Far South Texas; 2) a project to build a new full-service 50-bed hospital with 125-bed nursing home in Far South Texas; or 3) to adopt a sharing agreement with a military treatment facility in Far South Texas. Local veterans and elected officials would like to see the full-service hospital option come to fruition.
“Word about the plight of the veterans of the Valley is finally reaching beyond our region as evidenced by this vote today. I would like to thank my colleagues for their unwavering support” said Judge Salinas. “I hope these words shared by 67 counties in Texas find their way all the way to Washington.”
Emilio de los Santos Hidalgo County’s veterans’ service officer who was in attendance for the vote along with 26 veterans from Hidalgo Cameron Nueces and Brooks counties commends the delegation for their hard work.
“We understand that this is a special and unique situation. Our county and state officials were able to assemble and unite for a great cause in support of a VA hospital in the depths of South Texas” Mr. De los Santos said.
Judge Salinas said the proposed VA hospital is a win-win situation for all.
“I think the judges and commissioners at the South Texas County Judges’ and Commissioners’ conference have recognized that this hospital we are collectively pushing for will benefit everybody” he said. “Our local veterans could have increased access to long-term medical care wait times and doctor to patient ratios would be reduced in San Antonio where most of our veterans travel to and even our winter visitors would benefit from a VA hospital. All these things in turn lead to healthier veterans families and economies.”
“At one of our recent town hall-style meetings someone rightly said that veterans living in this so-called ‘Far South Texas’ do not fight only for the freedoms of their neighbors in ‘Far South Texas.’ They fight for the freedoms of everybody and they deserve to be treated equally. Decent health care should not be a luxury afforded to a few but to all. I am proud that my colleagues are helping us in the Valley take the charge for equal access to care” Judge Salinas said.
Judge Salinas will be traveling along with Cameron County Judge Carlos Cascos to Washington D.C. on July 10 to July 12 to continue the fight for a Veterans’ Administration hospital for the region.
