Pappas Calls on VA to Revise Initial AIR Commission Recommendations, Preserve Critical VA Locations and Services for New Hampshire Veterans

Following the release of VA's initial recommendations to the Asset and Infrastructure Review (AIR) Commission today, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) issued the following statement:

"It's entirely unacceptable for VA to entertain closing Community-Based Outpatient Clinics in Conway, Somersworth, and Portsmouth, especially when you consider that New Hampshire still lacks a full-service VA hospital," said Congressman Chris Pappas. "VA cannot jeopardize our veterans' access to care in this manner, and I am calling for them to drop these recommendations. Granite State veterans should not face undue barriers or even longer travel times to obtain the care and services they have earned. Our CBOCs are important community hubs, and I won't stop fighting to protect them. As the Commission kicks off its process of reviewing recommendations and soliciting feedback, I will closely monitor the process, remain in close contact with veterans and stakeholders, and advocate for our veterans who rely on the critical services these VA facilities provide."

Ahead of the release of the AIR Commission report, Pappas called for Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough to take into consideration critical information about the importance of New Hampshire's VA facilities before making recommendations that could undermine Granite State veterans' access to VA health care and services.

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