Rep. Joe Courtney sets record straight on veterans clinic

A recent letter raised concerns about overcrowding at the New London VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC), and incorrectly accused me and my office of “doing nothing to fix it.”

In reality, expansion of this space has been a priority for my office for a number of years. After raising the issue repeatedly with leaders of the VA in our state, the VA is finally moving forward to relocate the facility into a larger space. VA will complete selection of a new site as soon as next month, with plans for a new 15,000-squarefoot facility to open a year from now. This welcomed development will better serve our region’s veterans and I will continue to work with VA officials to ensure that this plan moves forward without delay. This is the only community clinic expansion project in the Connecticut VA system.

The writer also called for moving the New London submarine base “to a red state.” I can assure readers that this will never happen on my watch. The recently passed National Defense Authorization Act and spending package included construction of a $73 million new pier at the base so that the important work of the men and women who serve there will have an enduring future.

It is an honor to represent and serve the veterans of eastern Connecticut. I hope that any veteran who needs help with their benefits or concerns with the VA will contact my office and my hard-working staff for assistance. U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney Washington, D.C.