Heinrich meets with veterans about proposal to close clinics

..Phillips was one of about 20 veterans who met with Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., at a VFW post in Las Vegas to talk about how they would be affected by a proposal to shut down four VA outpatient clinics across northern New Mexico. If such closures happen, many veterans will likely have to seek care in Albuquerque, which is almost two hours away.

...“Don’t feel like you need to convince me that (the VA clinic) needs to stay open,” Heinrich said at the start of a listening session with veterans on Tuesday evening. “What I need from you is to arm me with the stories of what it’s like to live in a community and to need help where you are, and why it’s unreasonable to have to drive to Albuquerque.”

...Heinrich is the chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies.

“So I can hear first hand what they go through to get the care that they earned,” Heinrich said when asked why he met with the veterans. “I think it’s very important to hear those stories first hand for me to be able to make the case that we need to change course.”...MORE

No, Senator Heinrich, what we need is your story on why you place a higher priority on federal land acquisition and funding for wildlife than you do our veterans.