Rep. Kelly and Rep. Altmire Push for Answers on New Health Care Center at the Butler VA Medical Center

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Washington, DC — Today, U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (PA-03) spoke from the House floor on behalf of Third District veterans who have expressed concern over a decision made by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to build a new VA health care center (HCC) at the Butler VA Medical Center. The new HCC will be built somewhere within a five mile radius of the Medical Center’s existing facility on New Castle Road.  Local veterans have told Rep. Kelly that they were not given an opportunity to provide their input on the new HCC and that their questions concerning the fate of the current facility have not been completely answered.

Rep. Kelly sent a letter to the VA asking for answers to the veterans’ questions, including information about the types of services that will be included in the HCC, the rationale for building the new facility, and what will become of the current facility.

Rep. Kelly was joined on the floor today by Rep. Altmire, who was instrumental in securing $8.5 million two years ago for improvements to the Butler VA, including the development of a Community Living Center. Both Rep. Kelly and Rep. Altmire question why a new facility needs to be built given the recent investments made into the current building, which could needlessly divert resources away from other critical veteran services.

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