Haverhill state Rep. Barbara L'Italien, has been named to a legislative subcommittee that will review the delivery of health care to military veterans — especially those who, like Haverhill residents, live more than 30 miles from the nearest Veteran Administration hospital.
"This really is a fantastic opportunity to advocate directly for veterans living in the Merrimack Valley," said L'Italien, whose district includes portions of Andover, Boxford, Georgetown, Haverhill, Methuen, and North Andover. "The nearest veteran hospital is in Bedford, which for many Merrimack Valley residents is just too far to travel to receive health care."
Massachusetts has five veteran hospitals, including the one located in Bedford. Others are located in Brockton, Jamaica Plain, Northampton, and West Roxbury.
A health-care center in Manchester, N.H., provides some medical services but is not a full-service hospital.
The subcommittee is made up of five state representatives from across Massachusetts. The intention is for the group to collect information on ways long-term and short-term healthcare can be efficiently delivered closer to the homes of veterans that live farther from veteran hospitals, according to a statement from L'Italien's office.
The subcommittee is expected to report its findings by Nov. 29, to the Chair of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs.
"My ultimate hope is that this subcommittee is able to identify ways that the Commonwealth and federal governments can make health care more accessible the veterans in Massachusetts," said L'Italien, an Andover Democrat. "I look forward to working with my colleagues on the subcommittee to not just increase access, but ideally lower the costs for our veterans."
L'Italien, who is also vice chairwoman of the House Ways and Means Committee, will have a challenger for her seat in the November state election. On Sept. 14, two Andover Republicans — Jim Lyons and John Thorlin — will battle for their party's nomination to go on to the November election.
