For Immediate Release:

Monday, December 1, 2003

Senator Murray attended a town hall meeting in Wenatchee with veterans from Douglas, Chelan, Grant and Okanogan counties. Murray discussed many issues facing WA veterans today including the number one concern for veterans in North Central WA, better access to VA healthcare.

According to records kept by local veterans organizations, there are over 21,000 veterans who call North-Central Washington “home”. Veterans who need healthcare services must access it through VA facilities in Seattle and Spokane. Both facilities are over 150 miles from Wenatchee, and further for veterans located in Douglas and Okanogan Counties. Travel to Seattle is especially difficult as it involves travel over two mountain passes. Waiting times for initial appointments at Veteran’s Facilities in Seattle and Spokane have exceeded an average of 10 months.