New VA Clinic To Be Built in Santa Fe

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich and U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Lujan announced today that the U.S. Veterans Administration will build  a new outpatient clinic on the outskirts of Santa Fe.

The new 7,000-square-foot clinic will be located in the Las Soleras developent off Cerrillos Road near I-25. (That's the same area where the state government has been contemplating putting a new state office complex. That proposal has been on hold for several years.)

The new clinic will be twice the size of the current clinic on Brothers Road.

Heinrich and Lujan recently met with VA Under Secretary for Health Dr. Robert Petzel two weeks ago to discuss problems with clinics in Northern New Mexico. Those problems are outlined in the letter below. Complaints mentioned include quality of care, patient confidentiality, a limited range of services, accessibility issues for disabled veterans and "antiquated phone equipment" that makes it difficult to make appointments and take care of prescriptions.

Both Congress members expressed appreciation for the VA taking this action.

The contractor, Beckner Road Equities of Albuquerque, will begin a schedule for design and construction in August.

Heinrich and Luján Letter to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, April 5, 2013 by U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.)