[img_assist|nid=2677|title=U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=200|height=301]U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-Rochester) has filed legislation that would require a full serviced VA hospital in the Granite State.

New Hampshire is the only state that does not have a VA hospital and establishing one has become a campaign issue for every federal candidate.

Shea-Porter's bill, titled "The Veterans Equity Health Act," would mandate the Veterans Administration to have a hospital in every state, in the lower 48, or allow veterans to receive "comparable services" through a local medical service.

"This legislation will ensure that veterans have access to at least one full-service hospital, or that they can receive care -- the same care they would get in a VA hospital -- within the State," Shea-Porter said. " This would mean that the VA would have to do one of two things, either restore the Manchester facility to a full-service hospital, or partner with more local health providers to find ways to make sure that our Veterans can receive the care they need, right here in New Hampshire."

Shea-Porter made the announcement at an American Legion Post in Manchester.