A new outpatient clinic aimed at providing essential health services to veterans will be established in Virginia Beach. The Veterans Health Administration has officially signed a lease for a facility valued at $355.7 million, located at the northeast corner of Northampton Boulevard and Premium Outlets Boulevard. This announcement was made on December 19, 2023, by U.S. Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner.
The senators expressed their enthusiasm, stating, “We are thrilled to announce the awarding of this new clinic lease in Hampton Roads. The veteran population in the region continues to grow, and this facility will fill a critical gap by expanding access to high-quality, convenient care for the veterans who have served our country.”
The lease spans 20 years and includes 182,230 square feet of medical space along with 1,250 parking spaces. The contract has been awarded to Molasky Development, a company based in Nevada. This clinic was initially authorized in 2022 under the PACT Act, which aimed to enhance VA healthcare and benefits for veterans exposed to various toxins.
Challenges arose this year when updated cost estimates and rent bids led government agencies to seek reauthorization from four congressional committees. This process underscores the complexities involved in expanding healthcare services for veterans.
In their announcement, Senators Kaine and Warner also voiced their opposition to a proposal from the administration of former President Donald Trump to eliminate up to 35,000 VA positions nationwide. This comes as the VA has already reduced its workforce by 30,000 positions this year through voluntary buyouts and attrition. According to the VA, these staffing reductions have aimed to streamline operations and enhance efficiency.
In a related development, Doug Collins, the Secretary of the VA, announced plans to reorganize the management structure of the Veterans Health Administration. This initiative seeks to minimize bureaucratic redundancies that hinder decision-making processes. Collins stated, “The current VHA leadership structure is riddled with redundancies that slow decision making, sow confusion and create competing priorities. In other words, when everyone’s in charge of everything, no one’s in charge of anything.”
Staffing shortages have been a persistent issue for VA facilities, including the Hampton VA hospital, as highlighted by a recent report from the Office of the Inspector General. The North Battlefield Outpatient Clinic, which opened in April, was not anticipated to be fully staffed immediately. A VA spokesperson indicated that the clinic would continue its hiring process until it reaches a target of 540 employees by January, although it remains unclear if this goal is on track.
The establishment of this new clinic represents a significant commitment to improving healthcare access for veterans in Virginia Beach, addressing both current needs and anticipating future demands as the veteran population continues to grow in the region.
