Leaders of the Hot Springs Save the VA Committee are patiently waiting for the federal Department of Veterans Affairs to begin environmental studies on the agency’s plan to close the VA Medical Center in Hot Springs.

VA Secretary Eric Shinseki announced last month that it was moving forward with an environmental impact statement, but Save the VA spokesman Bob Nelson says the agency hasn’t even completed the first step in the process yet.

It’s been over 2 years since the VA unveiled its plan to close the Hot Springs center and replace it with an outpatient clinic, increased regional contracting with health care providers, and construction of a new treatment facility in Rapid City.

Nelson says the refusal of the VA to seriously look at other options or to allow extended input by the public has been discouraging to some supporters of the Hot Springs center, but he says the EIS process underscores that the fight to keep the center open is far from over.

As for those thinking about giving up and not taking part in the EIS process…whenever it gets underway…Nelson thinks another Save the VA member, Amanda Campbell, has summed it up best.

Nelson says it will take at least 10-to-18 months to complete the environmental report after the VA hires a contractor, and that appeals and challenges could drag out the process much longer.

In the meantime, Nelson is also hoping to see a big turnout Monday night for a town hall meeting in Hot Springs with a top national official of the American Legion.

Assistant Director for Health Care Roscoe Butler wants to hear first-hand from veterans around the region about their feelings on the VA proposal to close the Hot Springs center. The meeting will be at the Hot Springs Legion Club and starts at 7:00