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Smith Presses Shinseki On Proposed Service Cuts To Hot Springs VA Facility

December 15, 2011

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE), co-chairman of the Congressional Rural Veterans Caucus, today sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) Ret. Gen. Eric Shinseki regarding the VA’s recent proposal to reduce veterans’ health services at the VA Black Hills Health Care System facility in Hot Springs, South Dakota.

“This proposal would have a detrimental effect on thousands of veterans throughout the Third District of Nebraska and further restrict their already-limited access to health care,” wrote Smith, who noted additional service reductions would force veterans in rural Nebraska to drive unreasonably long distances to receive care. “I want to ensure rural veterans in my district and across the country maintain their access to the health care they were promised by serving this country.”

Veterans living in rural areas deserve equal and adequate access to care as those living in urban areas. It has been documented increasing the distances veterans are forced to travel causes many to simply choose to delay or even go without the care they require.

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