WASHINGTON, D.C. — With the support of Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.), the House of Representatives yesterday unanimously authorized the construction of an important new outpatient facility at the Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial VA Medical Center in Walla Walla, Washington.
“This investment in the Walla Walla VA Medical Center will cement its place as a provider of quality healthcare to veterans in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho by providing them with a modern facility that will improve quality of care delivery and continue to allow them to provide the best care possible,” Walden said on the House floor.
Click here to watch Rep. Walden’s speech.
The Walla Walla VA center serves more than 65,000 veterans in a 14-county area that spreads over northeastern Oregon, southeastern Washington, and central-western Idaho. The bill approved by the House last night clears the path for the construction of a new outpatient clinic at the center. The bill, S. 509, now heads to the President for signature.
A new outpatient clinic is a major accomplishment, especially considering that the entire medical center was nearly lost following a 2003 VA study that recommended closing the facility. That put veterans in northeastern Oregon in the position of driving hundreds of miles further for even the most routine care at the next-closest facility in Boise, Portland, or Spokane.
Walden voiced his strong concerns at that time and thanks to a coalition of area veterans, advocates, and elected officials, the VA reversed its recommendation.
“What a fitting success as we prepare to honor those who have fought for our freedom and deserve our never-ending support,” Walden said.
Rep. Walden’s full statement on the House floor is below.
I stand in strong support of S. 509, which would authorize the VA to construct a new multiple-specialty outpatient clinic building at the Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial VA Medical Center in Walla Walla, Washington.
The Walla Walla VA Medical Center serves more than 65,000 veterans in a 14-county area that spreads over northeastern Oregon, southeastern Washington, and central-western Idaho. It is an integral part of the VA’s Northwest Healthcare Network and has long established itself as a very important resource for veterans and the veterans’ community.
Construction of this outpatient clinic along with campus renovations, upgrades and additional parking will help this facility better serve our men and women who have worn our uniform. This investment in the Walla Walla VA Medical Center will cement its place as a provider of healthcare to veterans in Oregon, Washington and Idaho by providing them with a modern facility that will improve quality of care delivery and continue to allow them to provide the best care possible.
Since 2003 when the VA’s Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES) Commission released its draft recommendation for closure of this facility, veterans have rightfully raised concerns about the future of VA-delivered health care in this highly rural region. These veterans faced the real possibility of having to drive hundreds of miles to receive even the most routine care at the next-closest VA facility in Boise, Idaho, Portland, Oregon, or Spokane, Washington.
Like others in 2003, I voiced my strong concerns regarding the proposed realignment through a letter to then Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony Principi and submitted testimony to the CARES Commission. Through concerted efforts by area veterans, local advocates, and elected officials, former VA Secretary Jim Nicholson fully realized the importance of the care provided at this facility and reversed the commission’s decision.
Today, the Walla Walla VA Medical Center continues to make a name for itself through the quality care it provides to our veterans. I was there in December 2008 and I had the opportunity to meet with the new director of the Walla Walla VA Medical Center, Mr. Brian Westfield and receive an update on the facility, which has recently expanded its reaches into my congressional district through the opening of the La Grande Community Based Outpatient Clinic.
Last fall, the VA approved $71.4 million to design and construct a new multiple-specialty outpatient clinic at the Walla Walla VA Medical Center. The legislation we are considering today would authorize that project.
It is my hope that with the completion of this clinic, the Walla Walla VA Medical Center will continue its tradition of providing quality care to the men and women who have given so much in service to our nation.
I thank you, again, for the opportunity to speak in favor of S. 509. I thank Senator Murray for bringing this forward and members of the Oregon, Washington, and Idaho delegations for their support. I look forward to passage of this legislation.
Representative Greg Walden represents Oregon’s Second Congressional District, which is comprised of 20 counties in eastern, southern, and central Oregon. He is a member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.
