WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs is reportedly recommending to downsize or possibly close certain facilities in South Dakota, including the hospital at Fort Meade V.A. and Hot Springs V.A. – turning them into modernized clinics.
In 2018, Congress passed the Asset and Infrastructure Review (AIR) Act as part of the VA MISSION ACT. This allowed the VA to list recommendations for infrastructure enhancements across their medical facilities.
The recommendation is expected to include what facilities should be closed or modernized, and the acquisition of new facilities. The final list is expected to be released March 14.
The president will then appoint nine people to serve on an Asset and Infrastructure Review Commission, looking at the VA Secretary’s recommendations. This includes hearings and investigations before sending final recommendations to the White House by January 2023.
South Dakota’s congressional delegation has made it clear they are against any closures reagrding the hospitals at Hot Springs or Fort Meade.
Hot Springs has been on the closure list before. A reversal of closure came after Sec. Robert Wilkie visited the Hot Springs VA in late 2020.
In 2021, the VA announced a new outpatient clinic was to be built on the northwest corner of the intersection of Mt. Rushmore Road and Catron Boulevard in Rapid City.
The clinic will address the specific needs and requirements for more than 7,000 veterans living in the area. It’s possible the V.A. could recommend services currently provided at Hot Springs and Fort Meade be moved there.
