Hoyer, Cardin, Mikulski Write Veterans Affairs Secretary Expression Concern, Urging Action Regarding Impending Closure of Greenbelt VA Clinic

Congressman Steny H. Hoyer and U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (all D-Md.) have sent a letter to Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Robert McDonald expressing their concern over the forthcoming closure of the Greenbelt, Md., Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in northern Prince George's County. The space that houses the VA-leased clinic will be sold by the private owner at the end of September 2015. The VA has yet to find a suitable replacement CBOC in the immediate area. In FY14, the clinic had more than 6,400 encounters, of which more than 1,700 were unique. Currently, the clinic is at maximum capacity due to the high concentration and needs of veterans in the area.

The members of Congress write: "Our understanding is that starting on September 14, 2015, the Greenbelt facility will transfer their doctors and services to an existing CBOC in Camp Springs, MD, approximately 16 miles away. We have asked regional officials for their plans to replace the Greenbelt CBOC. However we are extremely concerned that no such plans exist beyond an open-ended assessment of the location to replace the clinic. Permanent closure of the Greenbelt CBOC would not only make access to services, including mental health services, more difficult for our veterans, but it would cut the number of exam rooms in the region from 16 to 13."

"Congress has been clear in our message to the VA -- that it must do more to reduce barriers to care for our nation's veterans. Eliminating the Greenbelt CBOC without a plan to replace it is a step in the wrong direction," the letter continued.

Source