Washington, D.C. - U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady (R-The Woodlands) today pushed the Veterans Administration to establish two new veterans’ clinics in Conroe and Tomball.  Brady further urged the Administration to have the Conroe clinic operational by 2005 with the Tomball clinic opening the following year.

 

In his letter to Veterans Affairs Secretary Anthony J. Principi, Brady urged the Secretary to act now and adopt the CARES (Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services) Draft National Plan that recommends establishing the Community Based Outpatient Clinics in Conroe and Tomball.

 

“Our seniors deserve top quality accessible medical care.  Conroe and Tomball are excellent locations for much needed Community Based Outpatient Clinics that deliver both.  Veterans in Montgomery and Tomball currently drive upwards of 40 miles to the DeBakey VA Medical Center for care that could be done near their homes by doctors they trust. 

 

“Outpatient clinics are the most efficient ways for our Veterans to access primary and preventative medical care.  When someone in my family needs to see a doctor, we visit his neighborhood office.  Our Veterans deserve that same convenience and these local clinics will provide them with convenient care they deserve,” Brady stated.

 

The Veterans Administration estimates that nearly 400,000 veterans live in the Houston Metro Region, yet only 75,000 are enrolled for care at the DeBakey Medical Center.  Officials believe the distance many seniors must drive for care keeps them from taking advantage of the excellent care they are entitled to from the Veterans Administration.

 

An estimated 8,700 veterans live in Montgomery, Grimes, Walker, and Harris counties making Conroe the best location for an outpatient clinic.  Another 5,100 veterans living in Harris, Austin, Montgomery, Waller and Washington counties could be better served by an outpatient clinic in Tomball. 

 

The CARES Draft National Plan projects a Conroe based clinic opening in 2005 and the Tomball clinic opening in 2006. A specific location for the Conroe clinic has not yet been confirmed.   The vicinity of the proposed Tomball clinic would be along State Highway 249 corridor between FM 1960 and FM 2920. 

 

The CARES Draft National Plan was completed and delivered to Secretary Principi in February.  The Secretary is reviewing the CARES Commission’s recommendation and will decide whether or not to adopt the plan in the immediate future.