New Mexico Politicians Work to Keep Local VA Clinics Open

By PHIL SCHERER, Las Vegas Optic

LAS VEGAS, N.M. (AP) — Greater than a month after the U.S. Division of Veterans Affairs advisable closing down 4 New Mexico VA clinics, together with the one in Las Vegas, Sens. Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján, in addition to Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez, had been on the town to talk to native veterans as they combat to maintain them open.

On March 14, the VA introduced suggestions, following years of study, that might result in the closure of community-based outreach clinics in Las Vegas, Española, Raton and Gallup, forcing veterans in these areas to hunt remedy elsewhere, particularly on the Raymond G. Murphy VA Medical Heart in Albuquerque, practically two hours away from the present clinic in Las Vegas. In whole, it was advisable that 174 native clinics, throughout all 50 states, shut.

Although the method of really following via on these suggestions, and doubtlessly closing the native clinics, will likely be a protracted one, doubtlessly taking years, lawmakers are losing no time getting in entrance of veterans and letting them inform their tales within the hopes that non-public accounts will sway the VA.

“Don’t really feel like it’s worthwhile to persuade me that it wants to remain open,” Heinrich stated Tuesday as he spoke to a room filled with veterans on the Las Vegas VFW Publish 1547. “What I want from you is to arm me with the tales of what it’s prefer to stay in a group and to wish assist the place you might be, and why it’s unreasonable to should drive to Albuquerque.”

Greater than 50 veterans attended at the least one of many two conferences with the senators this week. the Las Vegas Optic reported. Lots of them shared tales and detailed how dropping entry to their native clinic would affect them. Among the many most vocal in attendance at Heinrich’s occasion was Bob Phillips, who spoke at size in regards to the challenges he would face.

Phillips, who struggles with numerous again and knee points, stated touring the lengthy distance usually to Albuquerque would do nothing to enhance his present scenario.

“Driving to Albuquerque shouldn’t be snug,” Phillips stated. “And the older you get, the tougher it will get.”

He additionally stated he feels, primarily based on this ruling in addition to a number of of his private experiences, that veterans like him are usually not seen as a precedence with regards to healthcare.

“The sensation that I get is, why are veterans on the backside of the healthcare system?” Phillips stated. “I served my nation, I’ve paid my taxes, and I’ve to combat like heck to get healthcare.”

The VA made its suggestions earlier this yr primarily based on the decline that native VA clinics in rural New Mexico have seen over the previous 5 years. That features a 55% decline in distinctive sufferers on the Las Vegas clinic, with extra decline anticipated over the subsequent decade, in keeping with the VA’s suggestion.

Nevertheless, Heinrich believes the statistics used within the report don’t consider the present actuality, as many numbers used are from 2019, earlier than the COVID-19 pandemic started.

Luján in his assembly with veterans at New Mexico Highlands College on Wednesday stated that throughout New Mexico, 32 of the 33 counties within the state are dealing with healthcare staffing shortages, making it tougher for people, and particularly veterans, to entry the care they want.

“It doesn’t sound to me like we must be closing off much more entry to care,” Luján stated.

Heinrich, Luján and Leger Fernandez wrote a letter to VA Secretary Denis McDonough final week, inviting him to go to New Mexico and meet with the veterans himself to get a greater understanding of how vital these clinics are to individuals dwelling in rural areas.

Within the letter, the state’s elected officers ask the VA to rethink its suggestions due to the affect the choice would have on rural veterans’ entry to healthcare, resulting from journey and elevated wait instances from all of New Mexico’s veterans being pressured into one centralized location.

The officers additionally stated the choice doesn’t consider the elevated healthcare employee shortages attributable to the pandemic and the way the dearth of broadband entry, particularly in rural areas, would forestall telemedicine from being as life like as it could be elsewhere.

All VA suggestions should be authorised by an AIR Fee, appointed by President Joe Biden. The president is tasked with nominating people to the fee, all of whom should be authorised by the Senate. The suggestions additionally should be authorised by the president and Congress.

Heinrich harassed that they’re simply now initially of a years-long course of, and nothing has been formally determined. However he advised the veterans he met with that he would proceed to combat to maintain the clinic open so long as it takes.

Luján detailed the method that can happen. By Jan. 31, 2023, the fee should make a dedication on the suggestions. The suggestions will then go to the president, after which to Congress, which may have the ultimate say. Even when authorised by Congress, it could take a number of years for every part to be finalized, in keeping with Luján.

“Nothing is going on immediately, tomorrow or subsequent week, however we wish to ensure we preserve pushing ahead,” Luján stated.

Phillips stated preserving the clinic alive is vital to him for his personal sake, however particularly for these that can come after him — the veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, a lot of whom are usually not but in search of frequent care from the VA, however probably will likely be within the years to return.

“There may be not one among us right here that desires to see that shut as a result of it must be there for the subsequent technology of veterans that come alongside,” Phillips stated. “I feel anybody who lays down their life to serve this nation and defend it deserves, and has earned the best, to be taken care of.”

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