Legion to host System Worth Saving town hall in Tampa

The American Legion will launch its retooled System Worth Saving (SWS) program in Tampa during a visit the week of Jan. 29.

The visit begins with a SWS town hall conducted by American Legion representatives and VA staff.

All veterans who use or have used the Tampa VA Medical Center are invited to attend the event to share their experiences at the medical center. They are also encouraged to submit a brief question at this web page so the topic will be addressed during the meeting.

The town hall, which starts at 6 p.m. Jan. 29, will be held at American Legion Post 5, 3810 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, Fla. 33609.

American Legion Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Commission Chairman Autrey James will be participating in the event.

“We have taken a close look at how we can modernize this program to serve our nation’s veterans in the best way possible,” he said. “VA care is the best care anywhere. Still, there are opportunities to improve. That’s why we work hand-in-hand with VA staff during each of these visits and provide analysis and feedback on what works and what areas to target for improvement. Veterans will be able to share their experiences at the town hall. Afterward, our team will work closely with our teammates at VA to improve the care that veterans receive.”

Each year, the Legion’s Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Commission conducts a series of site visits to VA medical facilities and regional offices across the country. While on site, American Legion representatives meet with veterans, their families, and VA administrators and employees to discuss issues and solutions at each site. These observations are compiled into a System Worth Saving report that is distributed to VA officials, members of Congress and the public.