BILL ANALYSIS Ó AJR 20 Page 1 Date of Hearing: March 29, 2016 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS Jacqui Irwin, Chair AJR 20 (Kim) - As Amended March 14, 2016 SUBJECT: Veterans Affairs hospitals SUMMARY: This measure would request the Congress of the United States to support and build a central Veterans Affairs Hospital in Orange County. EXISTING LAW: The Department of Veterans Affairs Act of 1988 (Pub.L. 100-527) changed the former Veterans Administration into a Cabinet-level Department of Veterans Affairs. FISCAL EFFECT: This bill is not keyed fiscal. COMMENTS: According to the Author: Veterans in Orange County have reported barriers in accessing services and feel their needs are not being met. In order to give these veterans better access to care and treatment for physical and psychological issues, Congress should support a central Veterans Affairs Hospital in Orange County to meet AJR 20 Page 2 these needs. Orange County is in the Veterans Health Administration Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 22, Desert Pacific Healthcare Network. According to the USDVA, VISN 22 is served by the following VA Medical Centers in California: VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, (Los Angeles, CA), Loma Linda Healthcare System (Loma Linda, CA), VA Long Beach Healthcare System (Long Beach, CA), and VA San Diego Healthcare System (San Diego, CA). Of these, depending on the veteran's location in Orange County, the closest VA Hospitals would likely be VA Long Beach (approximately 40 miles from Irvine, CA.), Loma Linda (approximately 56 miles from Irvine), or San Diego (approximately 70 miles from Irvine). VISN 22 also is served by several community based outpatient clinics in or near Orange County: Anaheim (Anaheim, CA), Escondido (Escondido, CA), and Laguna Hills (Laguna Hills, CA), Oceanside Clinic (Oceanside, CA), Santa Ana (Santa Ana, CA), and Villages At Cabrillo (Long Beach, CA). REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION: Support 67 Individuals on behalf of the American Legion Auxiliary Opposition AJR 20 Page 3 None on File Analysis Prepared by:John Spangler / V.A. / (916) 319-3550