BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough praised the Boise VA center in a tour with local leaders on Thursday.
"This facility is among the highest performers we have, not just in this region, the upper northwest, but in the whole country. We have vets who move to town so they could get access to the care here," McDonough said.
This was one stop out of the secretary's visit to see how President Biden's bipartisan "unity agenda" can improve care.
"My administration provided assistance in job training, housing, and now helping lower-income veterans get VA care debt-free," Biden said.
During his visit, the secretary also commented on the senate's rejection of the toxic exposure bill, a bill that would have expedited care for veterans exposed to toxic chemicals in so-called burn pits.
"More than three and a half million veterans have served and been exposed to toxins and been exposed to particulates. They've now waited long enough to get access to care and access to benefits. So, I'd urge the senate to get going," McDonough said.
McDonough also touched on the delay in the rollout of the VA's new electronic records-keeping system. He said despite the concerns, they are working to improve the system.
"Our leaders here at the Boise VA gave us some good ideas on things that we have to really sand down and really improve to ensure that when we roll it out, it's ready for a big facility like this with more complicated procedures and services," McDonough said.
