Congressman Juan Ciscomani and U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins emphasized their commitment to veterans’ health services during a discussion with local veterans and advocates in Tucson on May 5.
The event highlighted ongoing efforts to ensure that veterans receive timely and effective support from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Ciscomani, who represents nearly 80,000 veterans in Arizona’s 6th District, said, “Our Veterans are the backbone of our community here in Arizona and across the country. They deserve a VA that is unwavering in its commitment to fight for the benefits they have earned through sacrifice and service.”
Topics at the roundtable included telemedicine, mental health treatment, electronic record keeping, and home loans. Before meeting with stakeholders such as Eric Renaud, Dan Jackson, Allen Kinnison, Bruce Huffman, Tom Murphy, Eric Bejarano, Arnold Stockham, Bob Wells, Cody Nicholls, Al Young, Ted Maxwell, Hugo Fausto, Young Mayberry, Kristin Pereira and Alissa McKaig; Ciscomani and Collins toured the Northwest Tucson VA Clinic along with Congressman Eli Crane from Arizona’s 2nd Congressional District.
The Southern Arizona VA Health Care System provides primary care as well as mental health services to more than 170,000 veterans across eight counties in Arizona. It manages nearly 700,000 outpatient visits each year according to information provided by organizers of the event.
Ciscomani reaffirmed his dedication as a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee: “In Congress through my roles on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee and Appropriations Committee I am dedicated to advancing policies and securing funding resources that deliver real results for our American heroes who have served,” he said.”I am grateful to Secretary Collins for joining us again in Tucson to listen to our Veterans as we push forward with momentum and progress towards reducing backlogs for all who have worn the uniform.”
Secretary Collins added: “Under President Trump we are transforming VA from a bureaucratic organization to a service organization that puts Veterans at the center of everything we do. Tucson-area Veterans have a strong advocate in Rep. Ciscomani whose leadership has been vital to accomplishing this goal.” During this Congress session Ciscomani has had four veteran-focused bills pass through the House; last week he introduced H.R. 8532—the VA Home Loan Affordability Act—alongside Representative Van Orden.
Ciscomani began serving Arizona’s 6th district after replacing Ann Kirkpatrick in January 2023 according to Wikipedia. He was born in Hermosillo in Mexico before moving with his family; he graduated from University of Arizona with a BA degree according to Wikipedia.
