Kagen commends House for passing legislation to fund new veterans clinic in Brown County
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) — Congressman Steve Kagen, M.D. today commended the House for passing the Veterans Administration Construction Authorization Act (HR 5856), which includes funding for a new Community Based Outpatient Clinic for veterans in Brown County.
“Northeast Wisconsin veterans are another step closer to quality health care close to home,” Kagen said. “This new VA clinic will mean healthy veterans, healthy families, and a boost to our local economy in Brown County.”
Kagen said the bill passed with overwhelming bipartisan support.
“Republicans and Democrats may be divided about war policy, but we are united when it comes to offering health care for veterans here in Northeast Wisconsin,” Kagen said.
The bill authorizes $5.8 million in fiscal year 2009 to expand community-based outpatient care in Green Bay. Working together with the Bush administration and the Veterans Administration, Kagen urged all involved to move up the plans for establishing the new medical center to FY 2009 instead of 2010. This lease will extend for 20 years. The new facility will offer specialty services heretofore not available in northeast Wisconsin to thousands of veterans who have had to drive south to Milwaukee in order to get the care they require.
“As a physician who has served for six years in veterans hospitals, I understand that we need to invest in our infrastructure of the Veterans Administration throughout the country,” Kagen said. “This project could not have happened without the strong bipartisan support of not just the Chairman Bob Filner but also the Ranking Member Steve Buyer and subcommittee chairs.”
Kagen said the bill now goes to the Senate for approval. If the Senate passes the bill it will be sent to the President for his signature.
