Jerry McNerney's website

On this Memorial Day: One Nation, One Moment, One Action

Today is Memorial Day, a time to recognize and honor the men and women who have given their lives in service to our nation for over two centuries, from the American Revolution to the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

While this day is always a solemn national event, I know many Americans are feeling a profound sense of pain on this particular Memorial Day. The thoughts and feelings you have expressed to me about how to support our troops in this time of war -- in-person at my “Congress At Your Corner” events, by phone, through email, or in the hundreds of comments on my blog -- is a reflection of that deep sentiment.

While our country may be divided about how best to support our troops in these conflicts abroad, this day is about uniting to remember those who have given their all to our nation.

Today, you can join millions of your fellow Americans in reconciliation and respect by observing the “National Moment of Remembrance,” a national minute of silence at 3 p.m. local time. As Moment of Remembrance founder Carmella LaSpada says, this is “a way we can all help put the ‘memorial’ back in Memorial Day.”

We have a duty as Americans to remember the people who have sacrificed for our country. And, we also have a duty to take care of returning veterans whose body, mind or spirit may be wounded in the conflicts they fight abroad. That’s why I’ve recently led the effort to pass legislation that will significantly increase funding and research into Traumatic Brain Injury (or “TBI”), often caused by roadside bomb explosions.

Last year, I asked you on Memorial Day to financially support a grassroots organization called “Operation Helmet,” which provided special blast-protective headgear to troops in combat to prevent TBI. Your generosity -- and the response by thousands of other Americans -- was so profound that Operation Helmet recently announced that it no longer needed to solicit donations.

This year, no matter your feelings about the war, I want to ask you to join together again in collective action to heal our soldiers and our nation. Bob Woodruff, the former ABC News anchor who suffered a serious brain injury after a roadside bomb explosion last year, has founded the Bob Woodruff Family Fund for Traumatic Brain Injury to help soldiers suffering from TBI to receive cognitive rehabilitation.

http://www.bobwoodrufffamilyfund.org/

On behalf of all the veterans who continue to suffer the ill effects of these horrific injuries, today I would like you to seriously consider making a contribution of whatever amount you can afford to the Bob Woodruff Family Fund for Traumatic Brain Injury.

Rest assured that contributions to the Woodruff Family Fund will actually go to the cause of caring for our veterans. When you click the “Donations” link at the web site above, you will be redirected to the Brain Injury Association of America. Under the section “Program Area," please click the scroll bar to select “Bob Woodruff Family Fund for TBI” as the recipient of your donation.

Thank you for your time and consideration of this important request on this solemn day.

Sincerely,

P.S. Many of you have recently asked me how we can save the veterans hospital facility in Livermore from closing due to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs federal budget cutbacks. Rest assured that I will continue to focus my energy on keeping the Livermore VA hospital open and potentially expand its services to help veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

With growing support for my PTSD proposal for Livermore from major newspapers across our region, there is a growing consensus that keeping the Livermore VA open and reshaping its mission would be in the best interests of our veterans. You can read those newspapers editorials and other posts on my efforts to keep the Livermore VA open by clicking here to read the “Veterans Affairs” section of my campaign blog.

The Argus: McNerney's proposal "makes sense"

First, the Contra Costa Times stepped up. Then the Stockton Record added their support. And now The Argus (of Fremont) is praising Congressman Jerry McNerney's proposal to not only keep the Livermore VA hospital open -- but expand it to serve veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder:

Rep. Jerry McNerney has made a proposal to Veterans Affairs officials in Washington that makes sense for both troubled VA bureaucrats concerned about the quality and quantity of mental health care for troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan as well as the freshman congressman's constituents.

The Argus goes one step further than the Times and Record by advocating that other congressional members recognize the importance of expanding the Livermore facility:

The first-term lawmaker's proposal is a viable, well-timed alternative to our failure to provide adequate mental health care, which we've traditionally fallen short on during and in the aftermath of our nation's wars. It has sufficient validity that the entire California congressional delegation — including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi — should get behind it.

We trust McNerney will pursue his goal in upcoming conversations with VA Secretary James Nicholson. And, considering the need for more and better mental health care for veterans, Nicholson would do well to adopt the congressman's proposal.

We couldn't agree more, of course. Now, with a local consensus building in support of Congressman McNerney's proposal, will Secretary Nicholson do the right thing?

Stockton Record editorial: "McNerney is doing the right thing"

With the Livermore VA hospital decision pending, local newspapers across the 11th Congressional District are recognizing the consequences to local veterans if the facility closes and the importance of Congressman Jerry McNerney's efforts to keep it open.

Following in the footsteps of the Contra Costa Times, the Stockton Record published an editorial today recognizing that Secretary James Nicholson would be "wise to consider McNerney's proposal" to expand Livermore's services to include post-traumatic stress disorder:

McNerney already has introduced legislation to create a special VA committee to focus on traumatic brain injury.

Now he's asking for reconsideration of the Livermore center's scope so it can provide treatment for Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans suffering from head and brain trauma.

Whether Livermore stays open or not, McNerney is doing the right thing.

Going one step further, the Record editorial writers draw an interesting comparison:

There has been a great deal of patriotic rhetoric about the United States' military intervention in Afghanistan and Iraq and the ongoing global war on terrorism.

That same sense of loyalty also requires that we provide the best medical facilities in the world for returning veterans. McNerney's proposal would help fulfill that obligation.

Congressman McNerney, the Stockton Record, and the Contra Costa Times all agree -- now it's up to Secretary Nicholson to do the right thing.

Click here to read the full Stockton Record editorial.

Contra Costa Times editorial supports McNerney: "It would be an insult" to close VA hospital

On Monday, the Contra Costa Times editorial board stepped up to support Congressman Jerry McNerney's effort to not only keep the Livermore veterans hospital open -- but to expand the facility to care for soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorder.

As the Times editors wrote:

He has a good argument.

After more than four years of war in Iraq, there are a large number of injured veterans in need of medical attention. Even more pressing is the huge number of veterans experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder.

It has been estimated that 15 percent to 30 percent of the 1.4 million military personnel who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan will suffer from PTSD and will need help in VA facilities.

With a decision on the Livermore facility "imminent" according to Congressman McNerney, the Times is encouraging Secretary Nicholson to follow the Congressman's proposal:

However, with the growing number of veterans in need of services, we urge Nicholson's department to keep the Livermore facility open.

It would be an insult to the men and women who have sacrificed so much in war zones to be denied the best medical service in VA hospitals and clinics close to where they live.

We couldn't agree more, of course.

Congressman McNerney has visited the Livermore hospital multiple times, often with "Veterans for McNerney" supporters like Lt. Col. Bill Evans, talking with many of the veterans who would be most harmed by the facility's closure. As they told Jerry and have expressed to the VA at public hearings on the issue, keeping this hospital open is vitally important to veterans across the region.

Now it's up to Secretary Nicholson to do the right thing.

To see aerial photos of the Livermore facility, check out eLivermore.com's Livermore History page.

Against the odds, Congressman McNerney fights for Livermore VA hospital expansion

Since being sworn into office in January, Congressman Jerry McNerney has devoted a great deal of his time to addressing the care and treatment of our nation's military veterans.

As many of you know from reading this blog, the Congressman -- a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee -- is deeply concerned about the VA's impending decision to possibly close the veterans hospital in Livermore.

With signs increasing that VA Secretary James Nicholson will soon move to close the facility, Congressman McNerney sent a letter to Nicholson last week in an effort to spare the hospital from the budget chopping block -- and instead suggested an expansion of the facility to treat soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorder:

"I've been thinking of this before I was even elected," McNerney said of a new post-traumatic stress disorder clinic on Livermore's campus. "It's such a quiet, peaceful place, it would be perfect."

[...]

McNerney's plan has sparked enthusiasm and optimism among some veterans. "It would make sense to have something like that out there for the soldiers coming home from the Middle East," said Les McDonald, a 74-year-old veteran from Livermore who has attended meetings on the future of the Livermore VA facility. "That is the prefect place for veterans suffering from that to go."

The situation is coming to a head, according to a San Jose Mercury News article highlighting McNerney's effort:

McNerney said he believes a decision to shutter the facility is "imminent," based on his conversations with patients who have been directed toward other VA clinics.

"I believe one of the ways we can meet the needs of our veterans is to maintain and perhaps expand services offered at the Livermore VAMC," McNerney wrote.

"With the creation of a new generation of veterans increasingly afflicted with post-traumatic stress disorder, I believe we must not only maintain services at the Livermore VAMC and French Camp Outpatient Clinic, but also expand the services offered to meet the need for PTSD-specific treatment," he wrote.

"The Livermore facility, with its tranquil and relaxing setting, provides the perfect location for the type of treatment PTSD sufferers require," he said.

There is still hope that the Livermore facility will be saved, as the Tri-Valley Herald reported:

McNerney said he hopes to sit down with Nicholson in the next few weeks — before any final decision on Livermore is rendered — to discuss keeping open the facility. The VA had originally forecast a decision on the future of the Livermore site would likely be made by late spring or early summer.

Nevertheless, McNerney said after a discussion with Nicholson at House Veterans' Affairs Committee meeting last week, he feels the secretary is willing to listen and find ways to better serve the needs of our nation's veterans.

"It's unacceptable to close this facility," McNerney said.

The Congressman is right, of course. We can only hope that Secretary Nicholson realizes the unique value of the Livermore VA hospital and does the right thing.

Stockton Record editorial: McNerney's bill would "Treat War Wounds Properly"

Last week, this blog highlighted Congressman Jerry McNerney's "Caring for Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury Act" following his introduction of it in the House. Traumatic Brain Injury, or TBI, is -- as Jerry describes it -- the "hallmark injury of the war in Iraq" affecting approximately half of wounded soldiers.

The Stockton Record editorial board has taken notice of McNerney's legislation, heralding it as a bill worthy of becoming federal law:

Pentagon officials estimate that up to one-third of all Iraq veterans have been exposed to such explosions.

That's why Rep. McNerney, D-Pleasanton, and Arkansas Republican John Boozman have introduced legislation to establish a group in the Department of Veterans Affairs to focus on traumatic brain injuries.

The purpose is to find out exactly how large the problem is, what can be done about it and how best to treat those injured.

Similar legislation has been introduced in the Senate, where, as in the House, it rightfully enjoys bipartisan support.

As this bill winds its way through Congress, we'll keep you posted.

Meanwhile, you can read the rest of the Stockton Record's editorial here.

McNerney introduces the "Caring for Veterans With Traumatic Brain Injury Act"

On Tuesday, Congressman Jerry McNerney introduced a new bill in the House that directly responds to one of the most troubling consequences of the war in Iraq -- "Traumatic Brain Injury" or TBI.

According to Hank Shaw's report in the Stockton Record:

The Caring for Veterans With Traumatic Brain Injury Act of 2007 calls for the panel to assess the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' capacity to treat brain-injured veterans and make recommendations on new policies for care and rehabilitation.

The Pentagon estimated that up to one-third of all Iraq veterans have been exposed to improvised explosive devices, land mines or rocket-propelled grenades at some point during their deployment, resulting in injuries including mild concussions, unconsciousness and coma.

"(Traumatic brain injury) is pretty significant: Half of our injuries are TBI-related now," McNerney said. "I know they have good treatment, but there are a lot that have minor TBI. Basically, we wanted to get out ahead of this issue and give the (VA) secretary some guidance on this issue."

The bill (H.R. 2201) is cosponsored by Rep. John Boozman (R-AR).  Both members of Congress serve on the House Veterans Affairs Committee. In a joint statement on Tuesday, McNerney and Boozman added:

“Our men and women in uniform have put their lives on the line,” said Rep. McNerney.  “It is imperative that we ensure our veterans receive proper care and treatment for injuries they sustained in service to our country.”

“The proper care of injured veterans goes beyond party labels,” Rep. Boozman added. “Doing right by our veterans is the least we can do to honor the service and sacrifice of those who protect our country.”

In February, ABC News anchorman Bob Woodruff's special televised report on the traumatic brain injury he suffered from a roadside bomb explosion in 2006 raised national awareness about TBI. Woodruff also explored the plight of several soldiers with TBI and their often disappointing experiences with the VA.

You can watch Woodruff's full report here:

http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/WoodruffReports/

Meanwhile, stay tuned for more news on the progress of this important bill.

McNerney: VA admin official bonuses "outrageous"

As Lisa Vorderbrueggen reported on her Contra Costa Times blog today, Congressman Jerry McNerney is "outraged" at the Associated Press article revealing that VA officials have received hefty bonuses while services to veterans have been mired in neglect.

Congressman McNerney released the following statement this morning, as excerpted by Vorderbrueggen:

"I was outraged to read in an Associated Press story this morning that the Veterans Administration official who oversees the VA’s disability claims system received a $33,000 bonus. The VA has a serious backlog of cases and delays averaging 177 days in getting benefits to injured veterans.

“At a time when our men and women serving overseas are beginning to return home and enter the VA system with post traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries, it is unacceptable that the official in charge of a backlogged system would receive such a hefty bonus.

“This Congress has committed to ensuring our veterans receive high quality treatment when they return home from service overseas. And we’ve followed through, ensuring billions of additional dollars for VA services. Those additional funds are meant to be used to treat our veterans, not to reward those in charge of a system that needs fixing.

“Our veterans deserve our utmost respect when they return home. And their families deserve better than the lengthy bureaucratic maze they must currently navigate to ensure treatment for their loved ones. With a backlogged care system that even VA Secretary Jim Nicholson acknowledges is unacceptable, it is simply outrageous that an official in charge would receive a bonus.”

Click on the "Veteran Affairs" category of this blog to read more about Congressman McNerney's ongoing efforts to hold VA officials accountable and maintain services for veterans in both Livermore and San Joaquin County.

Veterans share similar experiences in Pleasanton

The Contra Costa Times covered Congressman Jerry McNerney's second Listening Tour session with veterans and military families on Saturday -- this time in Pleasanton.

And the veterans there were just as concerned about access to the Livermore VA nursing home, which the Veterans Affairs administration is considering closing:

One option would be to move outpatient, nursing home and other services to San Joaquin County. Pleasanton resident Eugene Walls told McNerney that many Tri-Valley veterans, many of whom are elderly, object to such a move because it would require them to travel farther for care.

"It would put a hardship on me," the 62-year-old veteran said. "I'm still fairly young, but I don't get around so well."

McNerney replied that he is opposed to moving services out of the Tri-Valley area. "In fact, I think we need to expand the Livermore VA facility," McNerney said. "There's no reason we can't have a facility here and in the (San Joaquin) Valley."

In an interview after the forum, the freshman congressman said he would use his position on the House Committee on Veterans Affairs to fight for the Livermore facility.

"I'm going to make it clear to the VA that it's unacceptable to close the facility," McNerney said. "They should listen. Congress controls the money."

One thing is clear -- veterans in both the western and eastern portions of the district feel strongly that VA facilities should serve both areas. After listening to impassioned comments from veteran after veteran in both Stockton and Pleasanton, Congressman McNerney intends to do everything in his power to make sure the needs of these veterans are met.

You can read the rest of Dogen Hannah's article here.

Stockton Record: "McNerney Talks Health Care with Concerned Vets"

The Stockton Record covered Congressman Jerry McNerney's Listening Tour for veterans and military families in Stockton on Saturday.

Perhaps the hottest topic was the prospect of opening a new VA facility in San Joaquin County:

At issue locally is whether the federal government will build a regional medical clinic in French Camp or refurbish the one in Livermore. McNerney, a Pleasanton Democrat, says with the new national focus on veterans' health care they might be able to do both.

"The Walter Reed thing did help us in that regard," said McNerney, referring to the scandalous conditions recently uncovered at parts of the Walter Reed medical center outside of Washington.

"The public is demanding that the veterans be taken care of," he said. "The money's there now, so I think you'll see some change on the horizon."

You can read the rest of Hank Shaw's article here.