Smith Calls On VA To Hold Additional Meeting Over Hot Springs Service Reductions

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE), co-chairman of the Congressional Rural Veterans Caucus, today sent a letter to the acting director of the VA Black Hills Health Care System, Steve DiStasio, calling for an additional public meeting to address the recently proposed reduction in services at their Hot Springs, SD facility:

“Knowing of the importance of this issue to my constituents, I respectfully request an additional meeting in early 2012 with representatives of the VA and veteran leaders and service officers from the impacted communities,” wrote Smith, who noted he has been contacted by numerous veterans’ groups with similar concerns. “This proposal will have a detrimental effect on thousands of veterans throughout the Third District of Nebraska and further restrict their already-limited access to health care.”

On December, 15, 2011, Smith sent a letter to Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki expressing his concern and disappointment with the proposal to reduce services at the VA Black Hills Health Care System facility in Hot Springs, SD. Reports show increasing the distances veterans are forced to travel causes many to choose to delay or even go without the care they require.

Click hereto view the full letter.

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