Hirono Presses VA Secretary Nominee for Commitment to Expand VA Care Options in Rural Communities and on Neighbor Islands

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Mazie K. Hirono pressed the Robert Wilkie, President Trump’s nominee to serve as the next Secretary of Veterans Affairs, for a commitment to expand VA care options for Hawaii residents living on Neighbor Islands and in rural communities. Senator Hirono secured a commitment from the nominee to work with her to ensure the success and completion of outstanding projects should he be confirmed.

Senator Hirono said in her questioning:

“As an island state, veterans in Hawaii face unique challenges accessing VA care. Oftentimes, veterans need to fly from the islands they live on to Honolulu if care is not available on their home island. It’s why I’ve consistently fought for the construction of community-based care options for Hawaii veterans living on Neighbor Islands, including the new VA clinics planned for Maui, Kauai and Hawaii Island.

“There are a total of 7 outstanding VA clinic projects at various levels in the procurement process that my office has been monitoring including the future Leeward Oahu Outpatient Healthcare Access Multispecialty Clinic which I worked to authorize in the 2014 Choice Act. Can you commit to continuing to provide my office updates from VA on the status of these projects and ensure that they are completed in a timely manner?”