Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) introduced legislation today that would transform the Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Care Center in Harlingen, Texas, into a hospital. The bill would expand the health care center by adding in-patient accommodations, an urgent care center and caregiver support services including adult day-care. The legislation would also provide a full range of health care services for female veterans.

This bill is an alternate way to secure a hospital by asking the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to include a project in the Strategic Capital Investment Plan of the Department of Veterans Affairs to expand the Department of Veterans Affairs medical facility in South Texas by adding the services mentioned above.

Earlier this year, the VA opened the new $40 million Health Center in Harlingen to accommodate the needs of South Texans. The Health Center, which offers only outpatient care, was seen by Cuellar as a first step toward full-service health care to the region.

“Establishing the health care center in South Texas was a major milestone for our veteran community,” Cuellar said. “It is not the end of the journey, but gets us a long way down the road to where we should be.”  

Congressman Cuellar, working closely with his colleagues in the Texas delegation, had long championed a VA Medical Center for South Texas. The closest VA facility is in San Antonio – a laborious trip for many patients suffering from chronic conditions.

“Our bill will require the Secretary of Veteran Affairs to expand the current services offered at the health care center. By building upon our existing facility, we can bring the resources to get a hospital to the Rio Grande Valley area at the earliest possible date,” Cuellar said.

Congressman Cuellar, who recently traveled to each of the 12 counties in the 28th District of Texas to host veterans issues forums, knows the importance of offering medical services to veterans close to home.

“After speaking with hundreds of veterans, I am further convinced that establishing a hospital in South Texas is an obligation we have to the men and women that have served our country,” Cuellar said. “All veterans deserve convenient access to proper medical attention, and I will work for that cause.”

Apart from offering in-patient care, the bill calls for urgent care and adult day-care to alleviate some of the stresses on veteran caregivers. Congressman Cuellar also included services such as preventative care for female veterans, who are the fastest growing segment of the veteran population.  

The bill is co-sponsored by Congressman Rubén Hinojosa of the 15th District of Texas and Congressman Blake Farenthold of the 27th District of Texas. Congressman Cuellar has requested a hearing before the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee.