Fischer, Smith Respond to VA Decision to Downsize Hot Springs Facility

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb) and Congressman Adrian Smith (NE-3) released the following statement today on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) decision to close a large part of the Hot Springs facility:

“Veterans in western Nebraska rely on the Hot Springs facility for the quality care they deserve. Today’s decision from the VA is disappointing, and it leaves unanswered questions for Nebraska families who have sacrificed for our country. Despite this decision, we are committed to working together with the new administration to find innovative solutions to meet the medical needs of our panhandle veterans.”

In November 2015, Senator Fischer and Congressman Smith joined members of the Wyoming and South Dakota delegations in a letter to VA Secretary Robert McDonald to request an extension of the public comment period in the wake of the VA’s Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed reconfiguration of the Black Hills Health Care System (BHHCS).

Currently, the Black Hills facility covers the following nine counties in Nebraska: Box Butte, Cherry, Dawes, Garden, Grant, Morrill, Scotts Bluff, Sheridan, and Sioux.