Lunsford camp responds to McConnell ad with documents, website

The launch of a new website and the distribution of a nine-page information packet appear to be the first aspects of a reply by the campaign of Democrat Bruce Lunsford, of Louisville, to allegations made by the camp of U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Louisville) in a one-minute television spot launched on Friday.

Information distributed by the Lunsford camp today attempts to rebut charges in the McConnell ad that Valor Healthcare - a company formerly fronted by Lunsford - was "accused of providing deficient care" to military veteran patients contracted to health clinics by the Veteran's Administration.

The documents provided round up news coverage of veterans praising Valor as well as information about Valor's history and Lunsford's tenure there - which continues to today, as he still serves as a director for the company.

"It is despicable that Mitch McConnell would attack Bruce Lunsford for supporting our veterans," said spokesperson Cary Stemle in a statement.

McConnell's camp supported their ad's charges with a letter - sent just over a month ago - from the current Secretary of Veteran's Affairs, James Peake. In the letter Peake reportedly points to complaints received regarding two Valor facilities and notes that he "looked into them" and "found them valid."

The packet provided by Lunsford asserts that the clinics in question met quality standards, referencing the receipt of a "gold seal of approval" at a Galveston, Texas clinic that was noted in documents cited by McConnell's camp. Lunsford's camp said that "seal" was awarded after the facility garnered reaccredition with the independent Joint Commission organization.

"Valor was built by veterans, for veterans, and the company has garnered widespread praise - including high marks from the VA and their No Veteran Left Behind program - for providing high-quality care to 57,000 veterans across the country," referencing other sources cited by the Lunsford camp in its documentation.

Lunsford's camp also cite news articles from December 2007 wherein Valor's CEO - filling a role vacated by Lunsford a month earlier - claims complaints against Valor's Hot Springs, AR facility were part of a "smear campaign" against Valor by a competing company.

All the documentation circulated by the Lunsford campaign is also posted on a website set-up to refute the charges in the McConnell ad.

Valortruth.com was unveiled today by the Lunsford camp. In addition to a posting of the documentation, the site provides the articles cited in the response and letters from officials and a patient praising the care provided at Valor's Galveston and Houma, Louisiana facilities.

"Mitch McConnell is attacking veterans and being dishonest about their mission," continued Stemle. "He is desperate to hold onto his power and will say or do anything, even lie."