Boustany pleased that Louisiana VA facility is moving forward

The U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) awarded a long-awaited lease for a permanent Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in Lake Charles, Louisiana this week, something U.S. Rep. Charles W. Boustany, Jr. (R-LA) has been trying to get accomplished since 2013.
 
“Finally, Lake Charles’ veterans have waited far too long for this clinic, which was promised by former VA Secretary (Eric) Shinseki many years ago,” Boustany said. “Today’s news is the first real progress on the Lake Charles clinic our veterans have heard in months.” 

Boustany and U.S. Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) secured authorization for the clinic in VA reform legislation that passed the House in December 2013 and the Senate in June 2014. The VA presented a timeline for the clinic in August 2014, but it was later pushed back.

When the VA awarded a contract to construct a clinic in Lafayette, Louisiana last spring, Boustany blasted the agency for its continuing delays on the Lake Charles facility. 

Meanwhile, veterans in Lake Charles have had to settle for receiving medical care services from a mobile truck.

“Senator Vitter and I will continue to pressure and prod the VA to act as quickly as possible, keeping in mind the immediate health care needs of our veterans,” Boustany said. 

The new CBOC will be at 3601 Gerstner Memorial Parkway in Lake Charles, on a 4.5 acre site with 24,088 net usable square feet.