Some progress has been made in improving the nation’s veterans hospitals, including the Hampton VA Medical Center, which is used by many veterans who reside on the Middle Peninsula, but much more remains to be done, according to Rep. Rob Wittman (R-Montross). He spoke to Chapter 58 of the Disabled American Veterans at its headquarters on Short Lane in Gloucester last Thursday night.

Last year, VA hospitals across the nation were the subject of investigation after it was revealed that veterans had died following lengthy wait times for care.

According to Wittman, there is still a “list of issues” remaining with the VA medical centers. One of these is that the medical centers are still dealing with a backlog of claims, which impedes veterans from getting timely care.

However, Wittman said $16 billion has been earmarked to implement a Veterans’ Choice Program, which allows veterans to get health care from non-VA doctors, while not impacting their existing VA heal...