Health care access for rural veterans

Dear Friend,

Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) released its recommendations for the Asset and Infrastructure Review (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. Throughout my time in the Senate, I have worked closely with these communities to open and support their CBOCs. 

This multi-year review process by the VA, which started under the Trump administration, has relied on pre-pandemic data that doesn’t accurately reflect the current realities of veterans in our state, including access to broadband, health care provider shortages, and having nowhere else to turn to for medical services in rural New Mexico.

Closing down community-based outpatient clinics that New Mexico veterans rely on is not an option – and it will not happen without a fight. I will fight like hell every step of the way to keep these clinics open and improve access to the quality care and benefits that our veterans earned through their service.

On Monday, I spoke with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis R. McDonough to emphasize how the closure of New Mexico community-based outpatient clinics would have a significant negative impact on veterans. I also invited the Secretary to join me in visiting CBOCs in New Mexico so he can see the on-the-ground potential impacts of the recommendations.

I also sent a letter along with Senator Luján laying out our strong objections to these recommendations. We are urging the VA to consult with Veterans Service Organizations, medical providers, and communities in northern New Mexico to fully understand the impact of these recommended changes. We are also requesting that the VA conduct in-person listening sessions and re-assess the data relied on to come to the current recommendations, including re-assessing and re-gathering data on the relevant community care networks and realities of telehealth access.

The Constituent Services Representatives in my offices in New Mexico have helped hundreds of veterans all across our state access their care and benefits. Whether you or a family member is having trouble filing a claim, receiving benefits, accessing health benefits or military records, replacing medals, or other veterans issues, you can contact my office by calling (505) 346-6601 or by visiting the Veterans Resources Center on my website.

As your United States Senator, I am committed to keeping America’s promise to all of our state’s heroic veterans and their families.

Sincerely,

MARTIN HEINRICH
United States Senator