STURGIS, S.D. – The City of Sturgis says they will do all they can to help the state’s congressional delegation in their fight to keep hospitals open at Hot Springs and particularly, the Fort Meade V.A.
The Department of Veterans Affairs recently announced their recommendations from a multi-year nationwide review of the VA health care infrastructure. The recommendations suggest closing Hot Springs, Sturgis, and Wagner facilities. These recommendations will be reviewed by an AIR Commission, a panel comprised of nine members nominated by the president and approved by the Senate. This commission will conduct hearings and investigations and will send their findings and recommendations to the White House.
In a release today, the City of Sturgis stated they would like to thank U.S. Senators John Thune and Mike Rounds and U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson for their support to keep these essential facilities in communities where our veterans live.
City of Sturgis spokesperson Christina Steele e says as the AIR Commission moves forward with its review of the VA recommendations, the City will work side by side with our federal delegation to keep VA health care services available within our community.
The economic impact to the Black Hills is huge with a fiscal year 2022 budget of approximately $300 million for the VA Black Hills Health Care System. The number of employees at VA Black Hills is just under 1,200 for the entire health care system with just over 750 employees working at the Fort Meade campus.
