By Rep. Kristi Noem

The Hot Springs community has been an inspiration to many, including myself, during the fight to keep the VA hospital open since the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) first circulated its proposal in December. The number one concern that has surfaced time and time again is ‘what is best for our veterans?’ Keeping veterans and their care the number one priority is a testimony to how this community has wrapped its arms around our heroes.

Earlier this year, the Hot Springs VA was officially designated a National Treasure, but it is more than that. It supports the livelihoods of hundreds of families. More than 300 people are employed there, and flower shops, coffee shops and hardware stores in Hot Springs rely on the business of these employees and their families. More significant than the economic impact, however, are the services the VA facility provides to thousands of veterans annually.

I have to hand it to the Hot Springs community, because residents haven’t stopped being noisy from the second the proposal was released. The Save the VA Committee wasted no time getting in touch with my office. I’ve visited Hot Springs twice this year, and both times I’ve been overwhelmed by the community support for this facility and the veterans it serves.

I’m grateful I could help pressure the VA to provide answers and finally produce a cost-benefit analysis. Getting answers is a relief, but much more work remains. The community has submitted its counterproposal, and I have been assured by the VA that they will work closely with the community on it.

As this process continues, I encourage folks in the Hot Springs community to keep fighting. It was the residents, not any elected official that compelled the VA to provide answers, and the commitment of the Hot Springs community is inspiring.

I will continue to listen to the veterans and residents in Hot Springs as I work with the VA to ensure its process is transparent and collaborative as we move forward. The most important part of this discussion is our veterans. They sacrificed so much for our country and deserve the very best care.

I commend the doctors, nurses and other employees at the Hot Springs facility for their dedicated care of our veterans, and encourage folks to continue reaching out to me with questions or suggestions on how I can better serve in this matter.

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