VA Closing Underperforming Clinics, Addressing Leadership Issues at Others

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is making significant changes to its healthcare network, including the closure of underperforming clinics and efforts to improve leadership at other facilities. During a Senate hearing on the VA’s $488 billion budget proposal for fiscal 2027, VA Secretary Doug Collins announced that two community-based outpatient clinics—located in McMinnville, Tennessee, and Schenectady, New York—will close later this year. The McMinnville clinic will shut its doors on May 31, while the Schenectady facility will close in August. These closures come after an evaluation found that both facilities failed to meet VA standards of care, with issues such as inconsistent staffing and poor patient outcomes.

The decision has sparked concerns among veterans and lawmakers, particularly in rural areas where access to healthcare is already limited. For example, veterans in Tennessee will now have to travel over 35 miles to the nearest medical facility, while those in New York face similar challenges. Lawmakers like Rep. Scott DesJarlais (R-Tenn.) and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) have expressed strong opposition to the closures, emphasizing the financial and logistical burden on veterans already grappling with long wait times and limited resources.

In response to these criticisms, Collins highlighted that the VA is also taking steps to address leadership shortcomings at other facilities. The Augusta VA Medical Center in Georgia, which has faced ongoing issues including a hostile work environment and supply shortages, will undergo a management overhaul. This follows the replacement of its leadership team earlier this month—a move that marks the second leadership change at the facility in just 14 months.

Collins assured senators during the hearing that the VA is committed to improving care for veterans nationwide. He noted that while some facilities are being closed due to poor performance, others are receiving investments to enhance services. The VA has also requested $488 billion for fiscal 2027, with a significant portion allocated for medical care, new facility construction, and the expansion of its electronic health records system.

Despite these efforts, questions remain about the VA’s ability to ensure seamless healthcare access for veterans, particularly in rural areas. As lawmakers continue to scrutinize the department’s decisions, the closures and leadership changes highlight both progress and persistent challenges in delivering care to those who have served.