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News from Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin
For Immediate Release
Contact: Chip Weiskotten, 202-226-8553

HERSETH SANDLIN ANNOUNCES NEW VA CLINICS COMING TO
WATERTOWN AND WAGNER

May 25, 2007, Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin announced today that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) plans to open new community-based outreach clinics (CBOC) in Watertown and Wagner, which will enhance access to VA health care for veterans in South Dakota. The clinics were among 38 approved in 22 states by VA Secretary James Nicholson.

Rep. Herseth Sandlin said, “In rural states like South Dakota, with a high percentage of veterans and long distances between communities, outreach clinics are very important. We made a promise to those who fought to keep America free, and that shouldn’t change based on where those veterans live. I am very pleased that the VA has recognized the need for additional community based outreach clinics in South Dakota.”

As a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Rep. Herseth Sandlin has strongly advocated for additional CBOCs. She has met with community leaders in Watertown and Wagner to discuss the need for local VA outreach clinics, and emphasized that need in Veterans’Affairs Committee hearings with Secretary Nicholson and other meetings with VA officials in both Washington, D.C. and South Dakota. She will continue to support community-based outpatient clinics and ensure veterans receive the benefits and healthcare services they deserve and were promised.

Recently, the House Military Construction and Veterans Affairs’ Appropriations Subcommittee approved $87.7 billion in total funding, $3.8 billion more than the administration requested and $9.9 billion more than enacted in fiscal 2007 for the VA. This funding, along with the recently passed budget resolution, which provides the largest annual increase in veterans' funding in the 77 year history of the VA, will make room for funding for these and future CBOCs.

Currently, community-based outpatient clinics are located in Rapid City, Pierre, Winner, Aberdeen, Eagle Butte, Isabel and Faith. The two new CBOCs will become operational in about 9 months. Rep. Herseth Sandlin’s office and local VA officials will keep communities and their veterans informed of milestones in the creation of the new CBOCs.

Services will include comprehensive primary care, health promotion, maintenance, routine/urgent care procedures and education. Mental Health Services will done onsite or through telemedicine at parent facility to provide screening and prevention for mental disorders, and diagnostic evaluation for mental illness and substance abuse; psychotherapy and or psychosocial counseling for mental disorders, and referral for inpatient or residential care, direct care, or access to consultation for special emphasis and or complex problems. Routine specialty care consults will normally be referred to the parent facility. Basic x-rays and invasive radiology or more complex diagnostic imaging procedures will be referred to the parent VAMC. Emergency care will be obtained at the nearest hospital. Laboratory services will be provided parent facility. Parent VAMC, through the CMOP, will provide all routine medications or by contract.

# # #

Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin serves South Dakota in the U.S. House of Representatives. She is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of moderate Democrats committed to fiscal discipline and strong national security, and is co-chair of the Rural Working Group, which is dedicated to raising the profile of issues important to rural America. She also serves on three committees vital to South Dakota’s interests: Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs and Resources. In the 110th Congress, Herseth Sandlin was appointed to serve on the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming.