Heinrich, Luján Join Bipartisan Call To Keep VA Medical Services Available For Rural, Elderly Veterans

By Jessel Thomas First Posted: Apr 10, 2022 11:16 PM EDT

U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) joined a group of twelve bipartisan senators calling on President Joe Biden to consult with Congress and local stakeholders on a state-by-state basis about the potential impacts the Asset and Infrastructure Review (AIR) Commission recommendations would have, especially on elderly Veterans.

(Photo: Martin Heinrich Press Office )

Senators Heinrich and Luján are fighting back against recommendations that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provided to the AIR Commission, which could impact the delivery of health care services at the community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs) in Gallup, Las Vegas, Española, and Raton.

"For many elderly Veterans, VA facilities are the only place they seek care. The reasons Veterans often cite are that they are better understood, respected, and cared for at their local VA Medical Center (VAMC). VA facilities often serve as the crux for elderly Veterans' community...Veterans have put their lives on the line to protect this country. They deserve consistent, accessible, quality care when they return. That's the promise we made to these brave men and women when they took their oath to serve, and that's the promise we intend to keep," wrote the bipartisan group of senators today.

The bipartisan letter was led by U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.). The letter was also signed by U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-Penn.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W. Va.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo,), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), John Thune (R-S.D.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska).

Senators Heinrich and Luján sent a separate letter on the issue in March to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Denis McDonough. Nearly half of veterans in New Mexico are over the age of 65, and due to illness and service-related disabilities, many find it difficult to travel long distances for medical care.

Senators Heinrich and Luján are urging the VA to consult with Veterans Service Organizations (VSO), medical providers, and communities in northern New Mexico to fully understand the impact of these recommended changes.

Read the full letter below or by clicking here.

Dear President Biden:

We write to you today expressing our extreme concern with the VA's recommendations to the Asset and Infrastructure Review (AIR) Commission, as prescribed in Subtitle A of Title II of the VA MISSION Act. The recommendations are overly focused on quantitative data that does not do enough to consider the impact the proposed changes would have on our Veterans, particularly elderly Veterans. We request that when you receive the final recommendations from the AIR Commission you consult our offices on a state-by-state basis for our feedback before you decide to approve or deny them.

For many elderly Veterans, VA facilities are the only place they seek care. The reasons Veterans often cite are that they are better understood, respected, and cared for at their local VA Medical Center (VAMC). VA facilities often serve as the crux for elderly Veterans' community. Time and time again, we have been told by elderly Veterans that they enjoy visiting their VAMCs. They build networks of friends and VA staff that serve as support groups and keep them connected with their service. In an increasingly digital world, we cannot discount the importance of the human interaction and connection our Veterans find at VA facilities, particularly with in-person services.

We have been disappointed and concerned by the VA's lack of assessment of qualitative data and how its recommendations will specifically impact elderly Veterans. Receiving feedback from Congress, local VA staff, and most importantly local Veteran communities must be a crucial step in your assessment of the AIR Commission's final recommendations. Veterans have put their lives on the line to protect this country. They deserve consistent, accessible, quality care when they return. That's the promise we made to these brave men and women when they took their oath to serve, and that's the promise we intend to keep.

We look forward to collaborating with you further on how we can maintain quality care for Veterans across the nation without cutting services or access in our states.