TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — Veterans and advocates gathered outside the Tucson VA hospital Friday morning to show support for the VA hospital system and express concerns about changes in veteran healthcare delivery.
"This gathering is gathering every Friday morning from 7 to 8:15 a.m. It is designed to show our support for the VA hospital system," said Cara Bissell, president of Veterans for Peace Tucson Chapter 13.
The group expressed concerns about the VA Mission Act, which was created to expand healthcare options for veterans by allowing them to receive care from non-VA providers.
"It was supposed to be out of convenience for people living farther away from the VA centers," Bissell said.
However, Bissell believes the use of non-VA providers can reduce services within the VA system.
"That's just appalling," Bissell said.
Some protesters also held signs connected to nationwide ICE-out protests being held Jan. 30. While the Tucson demonstration focused on veterans and VA workers, participants expressed support for the family of Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse at a Minneapolis VA hospital who was fatally shot by immigration officers on January 24.
"He was a nurse. He shouldn't have been murdered," Bissell said.
Veterans plan to participate in a nationwide vigil for Pretti on Sunday, February 2, in front of the VA hospital, located at 3601 S. 6th Ave.
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Jacqueline Aguilar is a multimedia journalist at KGUN 9. Born and raised in Yuma, AZ., she is no stranger to the unforgiving Arizona heat. Now this U of A wildcat is excited to be back in Tucson and is looking forward to involving herself in the community. Share your story ideas with Jacqueline by emailing jacqueline.aguilar@kgun9.com or connecting on Facebook, Instagram or X.
