Jim Sherow, the presumed Democratic nominee in the Kansas First Congressional district made the following statement about the closure of Topeka Colmery-O’Neil VA Medical Center emergency services:
“As a Kansas Veteran and former Manhattan Mayor who values military service, the shutting down of emergency care at the Topeka VA is deplorable and indicative of the do-nothing government that currently holds office. Kansas veterans in the First District travel over 100 miles on average to receive care at a VA hospital, and now they have lost access to the emergency care services that could be needed at any moment. Right now we are subject to the current representation of someone who has never worn the uniform. Today, Mr. Huelskamp was outraged by California health care decisions and completely ignored this tragic failure by those providing government oversights. Coincidentally, Mr. Huelskamp sits on the House Veterans Affairs Committee and yet is more concerned about the healthcare of Californians than those Kansas Veterans right here in the First District.”