Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today met with a top Veterans Affairs official to discuss the need to improve VA clinics throughout the state, and was given an assurance that action will be taken.

Last month, Bingaman wrote to VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki highlighting problems with several of New Mexico’s 13 Community Based Outpatient Clinics.  Bingaman told the VA the clinic facilities in Raton, Silver City, Santa Fe, Gallup and Artesia are too small and need to be upgraded, and that the process for leasing new, more suitable space takes too long.  He also said a long-planned clinic in Rio Ranchohas yet to be opened. 

Bingaman today met with Dr. Randy Petzel, the VA’s acting deputy under secretary for the Veterans Health Administration.  Petzel assured Bingaman that the VA has hired a top level official to oversee contracting, and will continue hiring contractors charged with negotiating new leases. 

“In our meeting, I was assured the VA is now focused on this issue.  It’s not the overnight improvement veterans deserve, but it’s definitely a step in the right direction,” Bingaman said. 

In his letter to Shinseki, Bingaman cited waiting room space restrictions as a particularly serious problem at the Raton clinic.  Petzel said after receiving the letter, the VA made room for an additional waiting room. 

“I’m grateful the VA moved quickly to fix the problem in Raton, even as it seeks a larger facility to meet the long-term needs of veterans,” Bingaman said. 

Finally, the VA assured Bingaman that steps are underway to move forward on new lease agreements across the state, and that many of the contracts should be awarded by the middle of next year.