CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- An official ribbon cutting ceremony marked the opening a gleaming new Charlotte Health Care Center that is designed to give area veterans the quality of health care they are promised when they signup for the service.
The center is located at 3506 West Tyvola Road, and will mean many area vets will no longer have to travel and hour or more for medical care at the VA facility in Salisbury.
"One our goals here in this great state is to become the most veteran-friendly state," said Kaye Green, the medical center director, Salisbury VA Medical Center.
The opening came on the same day as a USA Today investigation that found administrators in seven states, including North Carolina, had falsified the times veterans had to wait to receive care.
"It's old news," said the VA's Deputy Secretary Sloan Gibson ,who was at the ribbon cutting ceremony.
Gibson said the numbers cited by USA Today were compiled by the VA itself in August of 2014.
He said since that time, over 97% of vets are now treated within 30 days of when they are due to be treated or ask to be seen.
Sloan said 80% are seen within seven days, adding that, "In 22% of cases, we deliver same day care. Now you tell me how that compares to the private sector?"
Donald Jones, who attended the ceremony, is an Army veteran from the Vietnam era.
He says there are still delays but he understands why.
"You have so many people. A lot of people coming back from overseas. The volume of people has increased." said Jones.
Sloan said the VA is making progress but admitted there are veterans who are still waiting too long for care.