Lankford, Inhofe, Mullin demand answers on plans to close Vinita VA Clinic

Lankford, Inhofe, Mullin Demand Answers on the VA’s Plans to Close the Clinic in Vinita WASHINGTON, DC – Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) and Representative Markwayne Mullin (OK-02) sent a letter to Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough after learning that the VA continues to seek closure of the VA clinic facility in Vinita, OK, without reaching out to tribal or community leaders about the closure despite the clinic’s use in the area. The nearest facility if the clinic closes, would be in Claremore, OK, approximately an hour away from Vinita and the surrounding area. The Members wrote in the letter, “From our discussions with veterans in the state, community stakeholders, and others, it is clear the Vinita VA Clinic has been a tremendous benefit to veterans in northeastern Oklahoma. Given this wide acclaim, we were surprised to learn of VA’s plans to close Vinita’s clinic. This news was also a shock given that recent Eastern Oklahoma VA health leases indicated the Vinita VA Clinic lease would be renewed on October 1, 2021, and was not set to expire until September 30, 2030. Furthermore, we were concerned to hear the VA did not reach out to tribal and community leaders prior to the decision.” The Members’ letter requests further clarity and answers on how the decision was reached to close the Vinita VA Clinic as well as a detailed explanation and timeline of the solicitation process, any future plans for the clinic, and whether consideration was given for a potential re-bid on the lease. You can read a copy of the letter HERE and below: Read more » by Jamison Faught - December 01, 2021 at 01:00PM

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