releases: http://loebsack.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=394956
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
This data as json
| url | title | date | year | month | party | chamber | state | member_name | bioguide_id | domain | scraper | source | date_source | text | has_text | collected_at | updated_at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| http://loebsack.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=394956 | Loebsack: VA Response Surrounding Veterans Suicide is Lacking; Leads Fight for More Action to Protect Veterans | 2016-08-03 | 2016 | 2016-08 | Democrat | House | IA | Dave Loebsack | L000565 | loebsack.house.gov | legacy | Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement after receiving a response to his questions from Judith Johnson-Mekota, the Director of Iowa City VA Health Care System (ICVAHCS). On July 12th, Loebsack wrote to Director Johnson-Mekota seeking answers in regards to the circumstances surrounding the suicide of Sgt. Brandon Ketchum on July 8th, a day after he reportedly sought care at the ICVAHCS. In light of this tragedy, Loebsack is drafting legislation to ensure all veterans who seek treatment receive the care they need and deserve.“The VA’s response to my questions is lacking, to say the least. I understand and respect the need for privacy and a full and thorough investigation of the events leading up to Sgt. Ketchum taking his own life, but this response fails to address the greater issue of what needs to be done to ensure this never happens again. The VA must ensure any veteran who seeks treatment gets the care they need and deserve,” said Loebsack.Loebsack continued, “The news of Sgt. Ketchum’s death was heartbreaking. This tragedy, combined with the fact that over 20 veterans commit suicide every day, means that something must be done address this crisis. I believe we have no greater responsibility as a nation than to ensure our veterans are treated with the same dignity and honor with which they served, which is why I am drafting legislation that ensures they get the care they are seeking. Even one suicide by a veteran is too many.”Since learning of Sgt. Ketchum’s death, Loebsack has been fighting to get answers to the many questions surrounding this case, along with answers to general questions about how the VA handles requests for care and admittance. A timeline of Loebsack’s efforts to gain information is detailed below.July 12th- Loebsack wrote to Judith Johnson-Mekota, the Director of Iowa City VA Health Care System. Click here for the letter. July 21st- Loebsack wrote to Robert McDonald, the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Click here for the letter.August 2nd- Loebsack wrote to Michael Missal, the Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Click here for the letter. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |