Heinrich & Luján Announce Key Progress In Effort To Fix Quality of Care And Chronic Infrastructure Problems At New Mexico VA Clinics

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich and U.S. Representative Ben Ray Luján commend the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announcement today to build a new Community Based Outpatient Clinic for Santa Fe-area veterans, doubling the size of the current VA clinic at 2213 Brothers Road, Suite 600.

The announcement comes just two weeks after Heinrich and Luján met with VA Under Secretary for Health Dr. Robert Petzel to call for much needed improvements to the quality of care and chronic infrastructure problems at clinics in northern New Mexico.

"I am extremely pleased with the progress we've made today and appreciate the VA's swift action to address our concerns. The construction of our newest VA clinic is central to providing top-notch health care for our veterans in Santa Fe," said Sen. Heinrich who visited the current Santa Fe clinic in April and immediately took action to address the apparent problems. "The tradition of men and women answering the call of duty runs deep in New Mexico's history. I will continue to ensure we keep America's promise to our veterans by providing them--without delay--the best care and benefits our country has to offer."

"I am pleased that, following our recent meeting with Under Secretary Petzel, progress is being made on a new VA clinic in Santa Fe that will provide our veterans with a better and bigger facility to better meet their needs," said Rep. Luján.  "New Mexico's veterans have served our nation bravely and with distinction and they have earned our gratitude.  When we thank our veterans we must do so not just in words, but in actions - and by building a new VA clinic we are taking an important step to live up to our responsibility to care for our nation's heroes.  I hope we will continue to see progress with other clinics around the state. "

The new clinic will cover more than 7,000 square feet and will be located on Lot 28 of the Las Soleras Development, near the intersection of Cerillos Road and Beckner Road in Santa Fe.

Senator Heinrich and Congressman Luján also sent a letter to Dr. Petzel in April outlining the issues with the community-based outpatient clinics in Santa Fe, Raton, Gallup, Las Vegas, and Taos, including expediting upgrades, addressing infrastructure problems to ensure safety, confidentiality, and timely access to care.