WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) was notified today by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs that it plans to open new community-based clinics in Cheboygan and Grayling, which will enhance access to VA health care for veterans in northern Michigan.  The clinics were among 31 approved in 16 states by VA Secretary James Peake.  New clinics will also be opened in Huron and Wexford Counties, brining a total of four new clinics to Michigan.

“This is great news for northern Michigan’s veterans,” Stupak said.  “The 1^st Congressional District has more veterans than any other district in the state.  Especially given the distances between communities in our area, it is critical that the VA establish these clinics to provide veterans health care services where they live.”

The new facilities, called community-based outpatient clinics, or CBOCs, will become operational in early 2010.  The Cheboygan and Grayling clinics will provide primary care and general mental health services and provide referrals to the Saginaw VA Medical Center for other services.

Local VA officials will keep communities and veterans informed of milestones in the creation of the new CBOCs.  Stupak said he will continue to work with the VA and monitor the progress of the facilities.

“I have worked hard in Congress to improve health care for our nation’s veterans,” Stupak said.  “There is work left to be done, but the establishment of these new community-based clinics will greatly reduce veterans’ drive time to seek care, reduce waiting times to receive follow-up care and ease the burden on other area VA facilities.”

The Cheboygan CBOC is expected to provide services to 1,200 patients in its first year of operation, increasing to 2,000 patients in the third year.  The facility was not included in the VA’s strategic plan, but Stupak and community leaders worked hard to convince the VA the facility was needed.