{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://lobiondo.house.gov/press-release/lobiondo-menendez-booker-statement-va-ig-report-death-charles-ingram-iii", "LoBiondo, Menendez, Booker Statement on VA IG Report on Death of Charles Ingram III", "2017-11-15", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Frank LoBiondo", "L000554", "lobiondo.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Congressman Frank LoBiondo (NJ-02) along with the offices of U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker today were briefed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of the Inspector General (IG) on its findings and recommendations regarding the death by suicide of Charles Ingram III at the community-based outpatient clinic (CBOC) in Northfield in March 2016. The lawmakers requested the IG investigate the incident to determine potential failures in VA procedures and to make corrective recommendations. The full report is available here.\n\u00a0\u201cThe IG\u2019s report clearly details systematic failures at the Northfield clinic that contributed to the horrific death of Charles Ingram. While a different outcome is not known had procedures been properly followed, we do know that Mr. Ingram\u2019s death served as a wake-up call to the VA for its years of neglect to South Jersey veterans,\u201d said LoBiondo. \u201cIn the past 18 months the VA has made measurable progress to rebuild a trust with our veterans through increased services, proactive outreach and expanded care in our communities. However, maintaining that relationship is a mission that will never end and I will not let them forget.\u201d\n\u201cSadly, this IG report confirms what we have learned from our veterans about the operations and management of the Northfield CBOC,\u201d said Sen. Menendez. \u00a0\u201cOur veterans and their families should not have to worry whether or not VA procedures and systems are working properly.\u00a0\u00a0I am appreciative of the leadership of Dr. Adelman who took over supervision of our CBOCs to address these failures.\u00a0\u00a0While progress is being made to improve delivery of care for our veterans, I will continue to hold the VA to the highest standards of accountability for our veterans.\u201d\n\u201cToday\u2019s report makes clear that important policies and procedures weren\u2019t followed in the lead-up to Charles Ingram\u2019s death last year,\u201d said Booker. \u201cIngram\u2019s death was a tragedy that shook us to the core and reminded us of what\u2019s at stake when it comes to providing care for veterans suffering from mental health issues. I appreciate the VA\u2019s response to our request and the efforts undertaken to produce an account of the circumstances surrounding Ingram\u2019s death.\u00a0Today\u2019s report outlines clear recommendations for improvement and I\u2019ll be monitoring their implementation closely with my New Jersey colleagues in Congress.\u201d\nIn response to Mr. Ingram\u2019s death, the lawmakers held a press conference in May 2016 in Northfield to outline immediate changes they demanded, including the hiring of more than a dozen additional medical and administrative staff and removal of the Wilmington VA Medical Center\u2019s oversight of the South Jersey CBOCs (Northfield, Cape May and Vineland). At this time the South Jersey CBOCs remain under stewardship by the VA under the direct supervision of the VISN (Veterans Integrated Service Network) 4 Director.\nThe previous leadership team in Wilmington was subsequently removed or restricted and three (3) Veterans Community Outreach Specialists have also been hired for South Jersey. Vince Kane was named the new Director of the Wilmington VA Medical Center in May 2017 with the support of LoBiondo, Menendez and Booker.\n\u201cWe fully support Vince and his team\u2019s approach to expanding community-based services and proactive engagement with South Jersey veterans. After years of neglect and run-arounds by the previous Wilmington leadership, we are encouraged by the measurable progress made on the ground at both the CBOCs and through more than 400 service provider agreements. We will continue to work closely with Dr. Adelman and Vince Kane on fulfilling the promises made to South Jersey veterans, including a new CBOC with expanded care in Cape May County in 2018,\u201d concluded LoBiondo, Menendez and Booker.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://lobiondo.house.gov/press-release/lobiondo-menendez-booker-statement-va-ig-report-death-charles-ingram-iii"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.9464169852435589, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}