Romney Welcomes Veterans Affairs Secretary McDonough’s Decision to Visit Utah

SALT LAKE CITY—U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) today released the following statement after Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Denis McDonough announced travel this week to Utah to visit the VA Salt Lake City Healthcare System, Salt Lake City Regional Office, Fort Douglas Post Cemetery, Salt Lake City Vet Center, and the University of Utah for a student veteran roundtable. The VA Salt Lake City Healthcare system provides services to more than 66,000 veterans across the region.

“A reverence for freedom and the importance of service are values engrained in Utahns. This is evidenced by the nearly 140,000 veterans who call Utah home. We owe each of our veterans a debt of gratitude for their service and sacrifice on behalf of our great country—and this includes the absolute best healthcare our country can offer. While the COVID pandemic has impacted veterans services throughout Utah, the VA Salt Lake City Healthcare System has been experiencing severe staffing challenges, which have impacted their ability to give our veterans the quality of service and care that they usually receive. Secretary McDonough’s visit to Salt Lake will provide him with a better understanding of these challenges, and I look forward to working with him to improve care for Utah’s veterans.”