U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) joined a group of twelve bipartisan senators calling on President Joe Biden to consult with Congress and local stakeholders on a state-by-state basis about the potential impacts the Asset and Infrastructure Review (AIR) Commission recommendations would have, especially on elderly Veterans.

Senators Heinrich and Luján are fighting back against recommendations that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provided to the AIR Commission, which could impact the delivery of health care services at the community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs) in Gallup, Las Vegas, Española, and Raton.

“For many elderly Veterans, VA facilities are the only place they seek care. The reasons Veterans often cite are that they are better understood, respected, and cared for at their local VA Medical Center (VAMC). VA facilities often serve as the crux for elderly Veterans’ community…Veterans have put their lives on the line to protect this country. They deserve consistent, accessible, quality care when they return. That’s the promise we made to these brave men and women when they took their oath to serve, and that’s the promise we intend to keep,” wrote the bipartisan group of senators Friday.

The bipartisan letter was led by U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.). The letter also was signed by U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-Penn.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W. Va.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo,), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), John Thune (R-S.D.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska).

Senators Heinrich and Luján sent a separate letter on the issue in March to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Denis McDonough. Nearly half of veterans in New Mexico are over the age of 65, and due to illness and service-related disabilities, many find it difficult to travel long distances for medical care.

Senators Heinrich and Luján are urging the VA to consult with Veterans Service Organizations (VSO), medical providers, and communities in northern New Mexico to fully understand the impact of these recommended changes.

Read the full letter here.