SAN ANTONIO – On Monday, U.S. Reps. Will Hurd, R-San Antonio, and Beto O'Rourke, D-El Paso, made the rounds and talked to veterans. One of their stops was at the historic VFW Post 76 in San Antonio.
Vietnam veteran Jesse Dominguez, who is currently the VFW District 20 commander, showed up for the working lunch at Post 76 in hopes of getting his concerns about VA services addressed.
Dominguez said there's just not enough workers in the VA system to help all the veterans in the state of Texas.
"Unless Congress and the legislative portion of it opens up the funds to hire more employees, we're going to be at a standstill," Dominguez said.
Dominguez said he's glad that Hurd is in town to hear veterans out, and he's hoping the rest of Congress will hear them too.
"Even with all the changes that are occurring, they are trying to improve the system, but they are still falling short," Dominguez said.
Hurd said one of the problems at the VA is accessing veterans' records, which he says should be done electronically.
"When a veteran walks into a health care facility, that doctor should have access to their entire longitudinal record," Hurd said. "That's not happening right now. It's 2017, we should be able to push a button and have that information transmitted."
Hurd also said this is the time to fix programs like the Choice Program to give veterans better access to health care.
Vietnam veteran and VFW Post 76 Commander Johnny Ornelaz said he's glad Hurd is taking the time to get their feedback.
"We're very excited because it gives us an opportunity to ask questions and hopefully get some answers," Ornelaz said. "Anytime anyone wants to come here and listen to us, we are very grateful."
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