Meuser, Cartwright, and Garrity Call on Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center to Improve Treatment of Veterans

Wilkes-Barre, PA — Today, Congressman Dan Meuser (PA-09), Congressman Matt Cartwright (PA-08), and Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity met with officials at the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center and urged them to improve the treatment of veterans at the facility.

Congressman Meuser, Congressman Cartwright, and Treasurer Garrity called on Medical Center Director Russell E. Lloyd to immediately take concrete steps to:

• Increase the number of activities offered to veterans to pre-pandemic levels;
• Create guidelines and policies that encourage volunteers and retain staff;
• Update masking and vaccination standards to maximize access for volunteers;
• Create an outbreak plan that is consistent and maximizes morale for both veterans and staff;
• Resume Substance Abuse Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (SARRTP) activities consistent with pre-pandemic plans;
• Increase nurse staffing levels;
• Enhance the phone systems; and
• Improve focus on quality-of-life concerns.

“We had a good, very candid discussion with the Director and his staff,” said Congressman Meuser. “The Wilkes-Barre VA needs to understand positive Veteran satisfaction is the goal – outcomes over intent. Along with better addressing issues related to the complete patient experience, including outings and volunteers, the nurse staffing levels and phone systems need to be enhanced. We will continue to monitor the situation on behalf of our local Veterans.”

“Our promise is to take care of our Veterans, no matter what,” said Congressman Cartwright. “I’m encouraged that the Wilkes-Barre VA has resumed its vital Group Therapy sessions, and that the most extreme restrictions on visitation have been lifted. We have more work to do, but I think we’re on the right track.”

“The Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center has essentially institutionalized our Veterans – our heroes – for the last three and a half years,” said Treasurer Garrity. “We’ve heard about the problems at this facility from Veterans, their families, and staff. They’re out of patience, and so am I. It’s good that some progress is being made – but much more must be done. And if it doesn’t happen, we need new leadership at the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center.”

Congressman Meuser, Congressman Cartwright, and Treasurer Garrity thanked Director Lloyd and his team for their recent decision to allow meetings of the Vietnam Veterans Support Group to resume at the VAMC.

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