Keeping Our Commitment to Nebraska Veterans

Nebraska is home to more than 140,000 veterans who have demonstrated their selfless commitment to the cause of freedom. As we honor their service on Veterans Day, we must also recognize the challenges they face and renew our own commitment to caring for these heroes.

The Veterans Administration (VA) recently released a draft Environmental Impact Statement for the reconfiguration of the VA Black Hills Health Care System. Since the VA first proposed closing its Hot Springs facility years ago, I have been working to ensure Nebraska veterans maintain access to the care they need. I am troubled by the VA’s insistence on pressing forward with a plan veterans have clearly shown they do not want.

Travel time and access to care continue to be foremost concerns for veterans in rural areas. Reducing services at Hot Springs would require many Nebraska veterans to drive upwards of six hours roundtrip for care, forcing many to delay seeking services – or to not seek care at all. Failing our veterans in this way is unacceptable.

Sandra Horsman, director of the VA Black Hills Health Care System, said the Hot Springs decision does not come down to costs but quality of care, adding “our number one concern is our veterans.” If this is true, I hope the VA will listen to the thousands of Nebraska veterans opposing further restrictions on their already limited access to care.

The VA is hosting a series of public meetings on the future of Hot Springs, including three in the Third District:

Wednesday, December 2, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Chadron State College (Ballroom in Student Center) in Chadron

Thursday, December 3, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Newberry’s in Alliance

Thursday, December 3, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Gering Civic Center (Oregon Trail Room) in Gering

In addition to attending these meetings, I encourage Nebraska veterans to make their voices heard by submitting comments to the VA before January 5, 2016, online at www.blackhillseis.com, by email at vablackhillsfuture@va.gov, or by mail at the following address:

Staff Assistant to the Director
VA Black Hills Health Care System
113 Comanche Road
Fort Meade, SD 57741

Given the large number of veterans impacted by this potential closure, I am working with my colleagues in neighboring states to try to extend the public comment period. The Environmental Impact Statement is a long, complex document, and veterans deserve sufficient time to review it. As chairman of the Congressional Rural Veterans Caucus, I will continue fighting to keep Hot Springs open for veteran care.

As the holiday season approaches, we have the opportunity to express our gratitude and greetings to service members, veterans, and their families around the world by participating in the Red Cross Holiday Mail for Heroes program. In 2014, Third District residents collected more than 12,000 cards. If you wish to join us in this effort, please drop off your cards (without postage) to my district offices located in Grand Island and Scottsbluff by Tuesday, December 1. More information is available on my website at https://AdrianSmith.house.gov/HolidayMailforHeroes.

On Veterans Day, we honor and remember those who served our country and defended our freedoms. We must keep our commitment to these heroes every day by ensuring they have access to the care and resources they deserve.