Smith Statement on Release of VA Black Hills Health Care System’s Environmental Impact Statement

Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) released the following statement today after the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Black Hills Health Care System released its final environmental impact statement (EIS) on the proposed reconfiguration of the system. The EIS includes a proposal for a community-based outpatient clinic at Hot Springs as part of the VA’s preferred alternatives.

“While the VA’s amended proposal is a step in the right direction, I still have serious concerns the proposed changes will create new access-to-care challenges for veterans in western Nebraska,” Smith said. “I will continue to work with my colleagues from Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming to ensure our veterans have access to the care they need and deserve.”

Smith has long advocated for keeping the Hot Springs VA facility open. In late 2015 and again earlier this year, he joined members of the Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming congressional delegations in sending letters to VA Secretary Robert McDonald to request extensions of the public comment period on the EIS to ensure impacted veterans had a chance to make their voices heard on the proposed changes.