(Elkhart, IN)-  Today, Congressman Joe Donnelly was notified by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that it plans to open a new community-based outpatient clinic (CBOC) in Elkhart County. 

“As a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, ensuring quality, accessible healthcare for America’s veterans is one of my top priorities,” Donnelly said.  “As we enter the Memorial Day Weekend and remember those who have served and sacrificed for our nation, I am happy to announce with Congressman Souder that the VA will soon be opening a new Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Elkhart County.  This clinic will provide convenient medical care to over twelve hundred veterans in the area.” 

Although the exact location of the CBOC in Elkhart County is uncertain at this point, being in Elkhart County will be beneficial to veterans across northern Indiana. Congressman Mark Souder, who also has constituents in Elkhart County, joins Congressman Donnelly and Secretary of the VA in making this announcement.

"I'm delighted that, after several years of hard work, there will be a VA clinic in Elkhart County.  Today's announcement is a great victory for veterans in Elkhart and Kosciusko Counties and the surrounding area. A result of bipartisan work with my colleague Joe Donnelly, the new clinic shows what we can accomplish when we work together."

Established to improve rural veterans’ access to primary and specialty care and reduce drive time, the new facility is expected to open its doors early next year. The CBOC will improve access to care for high-priority enrolled veterans and it is anticipated that 900 existing patients and 350 new patients will be treated at the CBOC in the first year of operation.

With 153 hospitals and more than 700 community-based clinics, VA operates the largest integrated health care system in the country.  VA’s health care budget of more than $34 billion this year will provide health care to about 5.5 million people during nearly 800,000 hospitalizations and 60 million outpatient visits.

“VA is committed to providing world-class health care to the men and women who have served this nation,” VA Secretary Jim Nicholson said. “These new clinics will bring VA’s top-notch care closer to the veterans who have earned it.”

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