02.08.21

Hoeven Statement on Confirmation of Denis McDonough as VA Secretary

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement after the U.S. Senate confirmed Denis McDonough as Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA):

“Our nation and the freedoms we enjoy were built upon, and remain secure today, due to the dedicated service of our veterans, and that’s why expanding their access to convenient, quality health care has been a top priority,” Hoeven said. “We’ve made important strides in improving the care of our veterans over the past several years, and this progress needs to continue. During his confirmation process, Denis McDonough committed to work with Congress to further improve access and provide better health outcomes for veterans. I will work with Secretary McDonough as we continue efforts to provide veterans with the health care they deserve, including through community care, and fulfill our promise to veterans by strengthening the services available to them, including medical care, long-term care and alternative mental health therapies, like HBOT.” 

As a member of the Senate Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Committee, Hoeven is working to ensure that veterans receive the care and benefits they have earned. His efforts include: 

  • Strengthening the VA’s ability to provide care for veterans and give veterans more options to seek care in their home communities.
  • Enabling more long-term care (LTC) providers to accept veteran patients.
  • Securing an expansion of the VA’s hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) clinical demonstration program to include the Fargo VA, making this alternative treatment for PTSD available to veterans who have not experienced positive outcomes from traditional treatments.         

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