U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) issued the following statement on the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) decision Friday to rescind its Record of Decision regarding the Hot Springs VA Medical Center.
“The Hot Springs VA facility is among the best in the country,” said Rounds. “Today’s notification is the result of a years-long battle to keep the facility open and make sure veterans from across the region are able to continue receiving the same top-notch care in the future. We thank VA Secretary Robert Wilkie for fulfilling the promise he made to keep the facility open after his visit to Hot Springs earlier this year. The action that Secretary Wilkie took today to have this revision published in the Federal Register means our long fight is over and we have officially secured Hot Springs as a location that will continue to offer significant services to our veterans. Today is a great day for ‘The Veterans Town!’”
VA Secretary Robert Wilkie notified Sen. Rounds that the January 3, 2017, Record of Decision for the proposed Reconfiguration of the VA Black Hills Health Care System Environmental Impact Statement and Integrated Section 106 Consultation is rescinded.
Rounds will immediately begin to work with the South Dakota delegation to remove the statutory prohibition of VA realignment of the Black Hills Health Care System.
U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) and U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) issued the following statements after Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Robert Wilkie notified them that the VA has formally rescinded its earlier record of decision to realign the VA Black Hills Health Care System, which would have significantly reduced services at the Hot Springs VA medical center.
“We dug in and held fast – through two administrations and four secretaries – to keep the Hot Springs facility open, but we would never have succeeded without the passion and persistence of Hot Springs veterans and the Hot Springs community, which rallied in support of the facility since day one,” said Thune. “I’m thankful to Secretary Wilkie for taking a serious look at South Dakota veterans’ concerns, seeing the opportunity in Hot Springs, and reversing the VA’s decision to close the facility. I look forward to celebrating with South Dakota veterans the next time I’m in ‘the Veterans’ Town,’ a title Hot Springs so richly deserves.”
“In March, Secretary Wilkie promised the delegation the Hot Springs VA would not close,” said Johnson. “The VA announcement to formally rescind its earlier record of decision which would have significantly reduced services at the Hot Springs VA is welcome news. I know our veterans will be relieved by Secretary Wilkie’s commitment after the many years of uncertainty. I’m grateful for the Administration’s decision and proud of the years of work members of the delegation have put in to ensure our veterans have the services they deserve.”
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