Speaking on behalf of as many as 200 veterans from nearly half of the counties in the 9^th District he represents, U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-9) today used a congressional hearing to raise serious concerns and question government officials about safety lapses regarding dental treatment at the John Cochran VA Medical Center in St. Louis.

During a hearing in St. Louis of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Luetkemeyer was seeking answers about potential risks posed to veterans from 12 of the 25 counties he represents in Congress. These veterans received dental care at the hospital in which unsanitary dental equipment may have led to exposure to bacteria and viruses, such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV between February 1, 2009 and March 11, 2010.

“It is deplorable that any assistance less than the best health care available, along with the possible exposure due to unsterile equipment, is the level of care being offered to our veterans,” Luetkemeyer said. “We must determine what were the causes in the breach of standards, and what the Department plans to do to remedy this situation ensuring it does not happen again.” 

Earlier this month, Luetkemeyer and U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay (MO-1) requested the powerful House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on which they serve launch an investigation into the incidences of improperly cleaned dental equipment. The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is the main investigative committee in the U.S. House of Representatives.

NOTE: Here is the list of counties within the 9^th District in which vets received dental treatment at the hospital: Adair, Audrain, Boone, Crawford, Franklin, Gasconade, Marion, Miller, Montgomery, Pike, St. Charles and Warren.

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