Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., announced in a press release Tuesday he has spoken to the Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki about the impending closure of the Dickinson VA clinic.
The community-based outpatient clinic's contract through Great Plains Clinic, PC expires May 1 and a new location has yet to be decided.
"There are many military veterans in the southwestern part of North Dakota who depend on the convenience and proximity of a community-based outpatient VA clinic in Dickinson," Dorgan said in the release. "That's why I briefed the secretary and asked for his personal attention to this issue. Dependable health care for our veterans is a top priority, and I'm very grateful for the secretary's personal attention to the matter and his willingness to help find a solution."
Until a replacement clinic is announced, the VA will allow veterans to request authorization to receive primary care services in the private sector in Dickinson or temporarily receive care at another VA clinic.
According to the release, "Dorgan and the VA are working to ensure a contract is in place as soon as possible between the VA and another health care management group. The VA has posted solicitations for new bids and is expecting several."
