Secretary McDonald, Here is a Win-Win, The Mesothelioma Center of Excellence.

Dear Secretary McDonald:

Here’s a win-win for you, as you emerge from the wreckage of the “death by waiting list” imbroglio.

Thanks to the courage of Dr. Dean Norman and Dr. Robert Cameron, the VA Medical Center in West Los Angeles has established a Comprehensive Mesothelioma Center.  For Navy vets exposed to asbestos while serving their country, mesothelioma is a war-related disability.  It’s estimated over 1,000 vets annually are diagnosed with this insidious cancer. But until now the VA has never built a treatment program, as it has for Agent Orange, nuclear radiation and PTSD.

The CMC is a giant and long overdue step in the right direction. Unfortunately, the VA has not publicized the program, veterans don't know about it, very few VA doctors outside of LA are aware of it, and it’s not well funded. Ironically, the problem is the lack of a waiting list.  Consequently, veterans are suffering without access to specialized care.

You can easily change this. And, for the thousands of vets now and in the future with mesothelioma who will be fighting for their life, you should. Please click here to view a video I prepared on the problem and solution. 

I have written to you and your predecessor before, without any return comment. Please respond. I am available to fly to Washington DC to meet with you in person.

Thank you for your service.

Roger G. Worthington