Sioux Falls, S.D. -- (KELO.com) Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) and Representative Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary David Shulkin expressing continued concern with the VA’s misguided intention to realign services within the VA Black Hills Health Care System and halt any associated reduction in services at the Hot Springs facility until a national review of the VA’s footprint and delivery of care is completed. The delegation also requested that the secretary consider designating Hot Springs as a post-traumatic stress disorder Center of Excellence and encouraged him to visit the facility.
“In order to restore confidence within the veteran community and uphold our solemn commitment to their care, we ask that you support steps to remediate the decline in quality factors at the Hot Springs VA, as well as consider its designation as a Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Center of Excellence,” the delegation wrote. “The success stories of the Hot Springs domiciliary program speak for themselves, and we ask that you visit the campus to see first-hand the environment of healing fostered in Hot Springs. We believe a visit to Hot Springs would also prove informative as you contemplate the broader question of realignment, and we would be happy to help facilitate a meeting with local stakeholders.”