WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today reiterated its commitment to build a new medical center in Las Vegas and highlighted the positive progress being made on the project, which will enhance veterans’ access to VA’s world-class health care in the area.

“I’m pleased to report that real progress is being made in establishing a new VA medical center in Las Vegas, and we are on schedule to break ground this year,” said the Honorable R. James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs. “Veterans and their families can rest assured that VA is firmly committed to this project, and our support of this mission continues to be steadfast.”

In a call today with Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.), Secretary Nicholson reaffirmed VA’s commitment to build the medical center and noted that while additional funding for the project was not included in VA’s Fiscal Year 2007 budget proposal, it was not needed in the upcoming fiscal year to complete the initial construction phase and keep the project on schedule.  

Design and construction of the medical center will occur in two phases, allowing construction to proceed as early portions of the design are completed.   VA expects to break ground this fall on the first phase of the project.

In fiscal year 2005, VA spent nearly $700 million to serve the state's 245,000 veterans.  In addition to outpatient clinics in Las Vegas, VA operates a medical center and nursing home in Reno.

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Email me at  larry@vawatchdog.org

Larry Scott