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VA town-hall meeting in Guam no later than Nov.
HAGÅTÑA, Guam—Following a recent directive from Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald on Aug. 5, 2014: “All Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare and benefits facilities” are ordered to host town-hall meetings to “rebuild trust” lost from the recent VA scandal and to “listen and learn directly from those who use our system.”
The VA Pacific Islands Health Care System, or VAPHICS, will be hosting a town-hall meeting no later than November 2014, according to Craig Oswald, facility strategic planner for the VAPHICS. Although a date has not been determined, the VAPIHCS has confirmed that this town-hall meeting will encompass all VA agencies such as VAPIHCS Guam CBOC, Veterans Benefits Administration, Guam Vet Center, and Guam Veterans Affairs Office.
A planning committee for the healthcare town-hall meeting is scheduled this month with Craig Oswald of VAPIHCS, John Unpingco of GVAO , Bill Cundiff of Veterans Commission, and other local veteran leaders on island.
“There are hundreds of veterans [in] Guam who have unanswered questions and concerns pertaining to the VA Healthcare System, and I am pleased that our local veterans will have the same opportunity given to all VA clinics to voice their needs at the upcoming town-hall meeting,” said Sen. Frank B. Aguon Jr. “This town-hall meeting will be open to veterans’ family members, veterans service organizations, non-governmental organizations and other community stakeholders. Participation is critical to begin fully addressing the needs of our veterans to the VA.”
Additionally, some local veteran leaders in the community are spearheading a town-hall meeting as early as October 2014 and have garnered the support from federal, local, and non-governmental veterans’ organizations. (PR)
