The Honorable Solomon P. Ortiz
2135 Rayburn House Office Building
United States House of Representative
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Representative Ortiz:

Your effort to require the Department of Veterans Affairs to take over the running of the Corpus Christi Navy Hospital is not good for the VA or the Navy.  This facility is now serving at least four (4) active duty facilities in your district. Your efforts should be directed at the Navy to maintain this hospital as a primary care facility for the active duty personal in your district and not turning it over to the VA.

In addition, such a move as you suggest will have a serious impact on the STVHCS and the service provided to the Veterans in your district, as well as the Veterans in the area surrounding your district.  The Corpus Christi Outpatient Clinic is providing service to over 5000 Veterans in the Corpus Christi area, working at over 126% of capacity, and short of doctors due to budget restrains.  Such a move would have a negative budget impact throughout the entire South Texas area that affects tens of thousands of Veterans.

Therefore, I request you to search for another solution for the Corpus Christi Naval Hospital and not punish the Veterans in South Texas with such an action.

Sincerely,

 

copy: Secretary Principi