U.S. Rep. Dr. Mark Green (R-TN-07) is seeking answers as to why the Veterans Affairs Tennessee Valley Healthcare System abruptly closed its clinic in Dover.
The clinic shut its doors three weeks ago. The public has received no word as to the clinic’s future, the congressman said in a statement.
The clinic’s website says, “The TVHS Dover VA Clinic is closed until further notice due to administrative issues.”
Green sent a letter to Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie requesting answers on the clinic’s Sept. 15 closure and urging action to ensure that Dover’s veterans receive the honor and care of a grateful nation.
This clinic provides crucial healthcare services to Tennessee veterans, especially those who live in rural communities far from major hospitals in the state,” Green wrote. “I would like to know more about the specific issues that led to the closure of this facility, which is the only VA clinic within a 35-mile radius of Dover. Additionally, please share with us the reason for the sudden closure — with no advance warning.”
“Please inform us of the plans for this VA facility — are there plans to reopen it? If so, what is the timetable for the clinic’s reopening? Many veterans depend on this clinic for their medical needs.
The Dover clinic’s website says officials are contacting veterans with upcoming appointments to help them find new locations to receive care. A phone number is listed for veterans to call. The site also mentions that a new provision of the VA MISSION Act of 2018 allows eligible veterans to be seen at a non-VA urgent care provider in VA’s network at the VA’s expense. The site says this is an option for veterans with “injuries or illnesses requiring immediate attention, but which are not life-threatening.”
Approved urgent care providers near the Dover clinic are listed here.
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Jason M. Reynolds has more than 20 years’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes.
[…] Robert Wilkie requesting answers on the clinic’s Sept. 15 abrupt closure, The Tennessee Star reported. He urged action to ensure that Dover’s veterans receive the honor and care of a grateful […]
A blessing in disguise – by the VA’s own internal rating system called SAIL, for FY17 all 3 of the VA hospitals in the Tennessee Valley Health Care System (Nashville, Memphis, and Murfreesboro) ranked dead last in the nation.
https://www.va.gov/QUALITYOFCARE/measure-up/End_of_Year_Hospital_Star_Rating_FY2017.asp