SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — The Department of Veterans Affairs has released its set of recommendations for the future of veteran care in the U.S., following years of research and analysis.
For South Dakota, the Asset and Infrastructure Review report recommends building a new VA health system in Rapid City, while closing the Wagner clinic and the the Fort Meade hospital.
The report released Monday was issued as part of the 2018 Mission Act, which required an assessment of the current and future health care needs of U.S. veterans.
The VA predicts that enrollment for veterans across South Dakota will decrease in the next 10 years.
Four recommendations were made for the future of the VA hospital in Sioux Falls, including moving inpatient and surgical services to partner health care providers and changing the emergency department into an urgent care facility.
“At the Sioux Falls VAMC, there is currently low inpatient medical and surgical demand. Community providers have adequate capacity to absorb veteran demand,” according to the report.
The Sioux Falls Community Living Center however would have its beds increased by 30 to meet veteran demand. Wagner clinic would be fully shut down and services would be transitioned to either Yankton or Mitchell or to the Indian Health Services clinic, according to the report.
The recommendation stated that the Fort Meade and Hot Springs hospitals were “not sustainable,” because Rapid City has become the largest population center in western South Dakota.
The VA will be holding listening sessions across the nation until next January. The recommendations would go to President Joe Biden no later than Jan. 31, 2023 and he then has 45 days to issue his approval or disapproval.