Senator Murray knows how difficult it can be for veterans to
travel long distances to receive medical care from the VA. Because of this, she has worked tirelessly to
open new VA medical facilities in Washington
state and to prevent existing facilities from closing.
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American Lake
and Vancouver – In July 2003, the VA tried
to close health care facilities in Tacoma, Vancouver and Walla
Walla. In the
months that followed, Senator Murray worked closely with local veterans, visited
the facilities, and submitted testimony to the VA Commission that was tasked
with investigating potential locations slated for closure (the VA CARES
Commission). After months of fighting
the VA, she was given the personal word of VA Secretary Tony Principi that the American Lake
facility in Tacoma
would not be closed. In February 2004,
the VA CARES Commission recommended keeping the Vancouver hospital open.
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Walla Walla –
When the CARES Commission recommended closing the Walla Walla VA
facility in February 2004, Senator Murray took action. She spent nearly ten months writing letters
and holding private meetings with VA officials. She even used her position on
the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs to hold hearings on the potential
closure. In May 2004, she secured a
commitment from Secretary Principi that the Walla Walla facility would not be
closed.
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Wenatchee CBOC – In February 2006, the
VA approved the establishment of a Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in
North Central Washington to serve veterans in Chelan, Douglass, Ferry, Grant,
Kittitas, and Okanogan County. Senator
Murray put language in several bills directing the VA to develop a plan to meet
the needs of veterans in north central Washington. When the VA missed their deadline, Senator
Murray threatened to hold up the nomination of a VA official. The VA CBOC opened in August 2007.
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Seattle – In December 2006, the Fisher House
Foundation, a private foundation, chose Seattle
as the location of a new Fisher House, a facility that houses VA patients’
families for free. The Fisher House is
scheduled to open in the fall of 2008.
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NW Washington CBOC – For years, Senator
Murray pressed the VA to open a permanent CBOC in Northwest Washington, and in
February 2007, the VA announced plans to open a CBOC in the Mount Vernon
area. In May 2008, the VA announced the
opening of an interim clinic in Sedro-Woolley.
Senator Murray was pleased to be present at the opening of the Mt.
Vernon Clinic in July 2009.
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Everett – In February 2007, the VA
announced that Everett had been selected for a new Vet Center to provide
counseling and outreach services to veterans in the area and their
families. Senator Murray worked for
years to get a new Vet Center in Everett
with Representative Rick Larsen.
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South Puget Sound CBOC – In March 2008,
the VA decided to locate a CBOC in the South Puget Sound region to provide
primary and mental health care for veterans in Lewis, Thurston, and other counties in the region. Senator Murray worked
for a CBOC to be opened as soon as possible.
A CBOC serving the South Sound opened in Chehalis in 2010.