RECOGNIZING THE ROBERT J. DOLE VA MEDICAL CENTER AND THE CITY OF WICHITA

On 2025-04-28, Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS) delivered a floor speech titled "RECOGNIZING THE ROBERT J. DOLE VA MEDICAL CENTER AND THE CITY OF WICHITA" in the Senate.

RECOGNIZING THE ROBERT J. DOLE VA MEDICAL CENTER AND THE CITY OF WICHITA

Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 70 (Monday, April 28, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 70 (Monday, April 28, 2025)] [Senate] [Page S2605] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING THE ROBERT J. DOLE VA MEDICAL CENTER AND THE CITY OF WICHITA Mr. MARSHALL. Mr. President. I rise today to recognize the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center and the city of Wichita for their exceptional commitment to providing world-class healthcare to our Nation's veterans. Recently, Wichita was recognized as the top city in the Nation for veterans' healthcare. This recognition highlights the unwavering dedication of the staff of the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center and city leadership in delivering accessible, high-quality, and compassionate healthcare to those who served our country. For the second year in a row, the Dole VA received the maximum 5-star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services--a remarkable achievement that places the Dole VA in the top 8 percent of hospitals nationwide. This 5-star rating highlights the Dole VA's commitment to not only meet but exceed the standards of the healthcare industry. In addition to the 5-star rating, the Dole VA ranked first among 132 VA hospitals nationwide for access to specialty care. It offers the shortest average wait time in the country for existing patients to see a cardiologist--just 3.8 days. The Dole VA also ranks second in the Nation for both routine specialty care access, at 95 percent, and urgent specialty care access, at 90 percent. Additionally, it holds the third-shortest wait time for new patients seeking pulmonology services. These accomplishments are a testament to the outstanding leadership and the tireless dedication of the staff at the Dole VA. The city of Wichita is also playing a vital role in providing care for our Nation's veterans, particularly in the area of mental health. Wichita ranks fifth in the Nation for access to mental health services, offering the seventh shortest average wait time for existing patients to access care--just 0.3 days--and the ninth shortest for new patients, at only 1.4 days. Additionally, Wichita ranks sixth nationally in overall hospital care quality and holds the eighth shortest wait time for existing patients seeking primary care. These distinctions reflect a city deeply committed to ensuring those in need receive the high- quality healthcare necessary. As a country, we owe a great debt to those who served, and the Dole VA and the city of Wichita are setting the standard for how that debt should be paid. I now ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center and the city of Wichita for these exceptional achievements. Furthermore, I ask that my colleagues join me in thanking the dedicated healthcare workforce in Wichita for their unwavering commitment to serving those who have worn the uniform. ____________________