Published: March 21, 2008 10:39 am      

July opening slated for Goshen VA clinic

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The bid process for a Goshen outpatient veterans clinic is expected to be completed in late March with opening of the facility slated in July, U.S. Rep. Mark Souder, R-3rd District, announced today.

Souder said when the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) completes the bid process, the contractor — who should receive word by mid-April — will have 90 days to establish the clinic.

The new community-based outpatient clinic in Goshen is scheduled to open during the first week of July.

“I am encouraged by the continued advancement on the clinic in Goshen,” Souder said. “This announcement represents a step closer to providing ready relief for veterans of northern Indiana who urgently need this facility to meet their health needs. Even though we have seen some delays on this project, I’m pleased with the recent forward-moving pace.

“The Goshen CBOC will ensure compliance with the standard set by the CARES commission that states veterans should not be required to travel more than 30 minutes to receive primary care. Some veterans currently drive great distances that far exceed this guideline to obtain care,” he said.

Souder began seeking to bring accessible and efficient health care options to Elkhart County when then-VA Secretary Anthony Principi did not recommend in May 2004 that the Goshen community-based outpatient clinic was a priority for the Veterans’ Affairs Department.