Letter to the Hon. Robert Wilkie, Secretary of Veterans Affairs - Norton Sounds Alarm on Scheduled Closing for D.C.'s Only Veteran Outpatient Clinic

Letter

Dear Secretary Wilkie:

It has been brought to my attention that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)-operated Southeast Washington Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) is scheduled to close this year. This CBOC is the only VA-operated outpatient clinic in the District of Columbia and provides basic medical and preventative health care, health education, mental health services, addiction counseling, comprehensive women's health care and nutritional counseling to eligible veterans. This facility also provides referral services to veterans who require specialized care. If this CBOC closes when its lease expires on September 30, 2019, D.C. will lose its only outpatient VA health care facility.

I am sure you agree that veterans should have easy access to the services and treatment they need. If this CBOC closes, veterans in the District would have to visit the main DC VA Medical Center or travel to Prince George's County, MD for primary and preventative health care. It is unclear whether the VA would provide free transportation for veterans to visit the Prince George's County. I urge the VA to maintain a presence in in the District and continue to serve the community.

I ask that you respond to this letter in writing within 30 days, outlining how the VA plans to serve veterans living in Washington, D.C. who would be impacted by this closure, including plans to maintain a presence in the District.

Sincerely,

Source