May 26, 2007 

Ellsworth Announces New VA Clinic Coming to Knox County

Facility Will Increase Access to Health Care for Local Vets

WASHINGTON - Rep. Brad Ellsworth today announced that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) plans to open a new community-based outpatient clinic in Knox County, which will improve access to health care for Hoosier veterans.

"This Memorial Day weekend, as we honor the generations of Americans who have selflessly stepped forward to protect our freedom, what better time to renew our commitment to providing them the medical care they deserve?" said Ellsworth. "This facility will mean increased access to vital health care and an improved quality of life for local veterans." 

The new community-based outpatient clinic (CBOC) will become operational in 2007 or 2008. 

"VA is committed to providing world-class health care to the men and women who have served this nation," VA Secretary Jim Nicholson said. "These new clinics will bring VA's top-notch care closer to the veterans who have earned it."

"It's not enough to put up the walls though, we must also make sure we fully staff this facility," said Ellsworth. "I looking forward to working with the VA to ensure our veterans receive the quality and timely care they deserve."

With 153 hospitals and more than 700 community-based clinics, VA operates the largest integrated health care system in the country.  VA's health care budget of more than $34 billion this year will provide health care to about 5.5 million people during nearly 800,000 hospitalizations and 60 million outpatient visits. (Source: Department of Veterans Affairs).

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