AR213

An Assembly Resolution supporting the establishment of a federal Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Sussex County.

Whereas, Veterans in the State of New Jersey deserve the best and most accessible health care options that can be provided; and

Whereas, The United States has the most comprehensive system of assistance for veterans of any nation in the world, with roots that can be traced back to colonial times; and

Whereas, On March 3, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln signed a law to establish a national soldiers and sailors asylum, which would lead to the establishment of the first federal veterans hospital in 1866; and

Whereas, In 1917, Congress established a new system of veterans benefits, including programs for disability compensation, insurance for service personnel and veterans, and vocational rehabilitation for the disabled; and

Whereas, The influx of returning injured war veterans from World War I led to the United States establishing a larger veterans hospital network, leasing hundreds of private hospitals and hotels; and

Whereas, The United States Veterans Health Administration (VHA) operates one of the largest health care systems in the world, providing training for a majority of America’s medical, nursing, and allied health professionals and is the largest of the three administrations that comprise the United States Department of Veterans Affairs; and

Whereas, The VHA administers nearly 1,400 outpatient clinics and other services to care for a diverse population of almost nine million veterans and supports on-going medical research and innovation to improve the lives of America’s veterans; and

Whereas, The Department of Veterans Affairs New Jersey Health Care System (VANJHCS) is a consolidated facility compromised of two main campuses, one in East Orange, the corporate office, and one in Lyons, with additional satellite outpatient clinics and access points located in Brick, Elizabeth, Hackensack, Hamilton, Jersey City, Morristown, Paterson, Piscataway, and Tinton Falls; and

Whereas, The mission of the VANJHCS is to honor America’s veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well being; and

Whereas, The VANJHCS provides veterans with access to a full range of medical care, with a special emphasis on primary care, as well as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology, and physical therapy; and

Whereas, Additional health care services provided by VANJHCS for veterans include caregiver services, services for homeless veterans, services for veterans returning from duty with any condition related to combat services, and services for women veterans; and

Whereas, As of September 30, 2014, the United State Department of Veterans Affairs has estimated that about 50,000 veterans reside in Sussex County and the bordering counties in Northwestern New Jersey; and

Whereas, Sussex and Warren counties do not have a community-based outpatient clinic, requiring veterans to travel outside the county to receive medical treatment at these clinics; and

Whereas, Having to travel outside of the region may result in a delay of care for veterans who are dependent upon others for transportation or for veterans who cannot access these clinics at all; and

Whereas, The Northwestern New Jersey veterans’ community has identified the need for a community-based outpatient clinic in Sussex County, which would bring access to health care closer to home for those veterans in the region; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. This House supports the establishment of a community-based outpatient clinic in Sussex County by the federal Department of Veterans Affairs.

2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the Director of Veterans Affairs of the Veterans Affairs New Jersey Health Care System in East Orange, to the Deputy Secretary of Veteran Affairs of the federal Department of Veterans Affairs in Washington D.C., and every member of Congress from this State.

STATEMENT

This resolution supports the establishment of a community-based outpatient clinic in Sussex County by the federal Department of Veterans Affairs. The United States Veterans Health Administration (VHA) operates one of the largest health care systems in the world, providing training for a majority of America’s medical, nursing, and allied health professionals and is the largest of the three administrations that comprise the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. The VHA administers nearly 1,400 outpatient clinics and other services to care for a diverse population of almost nine million veterans and supports on-going medical research and innovation to improve the lives of America’s veterans.

The Department of Veterans Affairs New Jersey Health Care System (VANJHCS) provides veterans with access to a full range of medical care, with a special emphasis on primary care, as well as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology, and physical therapy. The VANJHCS is a consolidated facility compromised of two main campuses, one in East Orange, the corporate office, and one in Lyons, with additional satellite outpatient clinics and access points located in Brick, Elizabeth, Hackensack, Hamilton, Jersey City, Morristown, Paterson, Piscataway, and Tinton Falls.

As of September 30, 2014, the United State Department of Veterans Affairs has estimated that about 50,000 veterans reside in Sussex County and the bordering counties in Northwestern New Jersey. Sussex and Warren counties do not have a community-based outpatient clinic, requiring veterans to travel outside the county to receive medical treatment at these clinics. The Northwestern New Jersey veterans’ community has identified the need for a community-based outpatient clinic in Sussex County, which would bring access to health care closer to home for those veterans in the region.