WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-Va.) met with the Directors of the Hampton Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center, the Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center in Richmond, the Salem VA Medical Center, and other VA officials to discuss a recent news report regarding the quality of care at VA-run nursing homes that serve Virginia’s veterans.

“Veterans who selflessly served our country deserve world-class care,” said Sen. Warner. “It was important to hear directly from Virginia’s VA medical centers on steps they will take to improve the quality of care for veterans and increase transparency. What I heard from these Directors is that they are working hard to improve outcomes, recognizing that veterans in their care often have unique medical challenges. I will be closely monitoring their progress.”  

On June 25, an investigation by USA Today and the Boston Globe found that a majority of the VA’s 133 nursing homes – known as community living centers – have a higher percentage of residents suffering from pain and preventable complications than at private care facilities.  In response, Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers in Hampton, Va., Richmond, Va., Salem, Va., and Washington, D.C. on the steps they are taking to address deficiencies in care at their nursing home facilities.

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