This week, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., weighed in after the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) released its recommendations to ensure its infrastructure will meet the healthcare needs of veterans in the 21st Century through the Asset and Infrastructure Review report (AIR Commission report).
The report includes several recommendations for the realignment of VA infrastructure and resources, many of which would benefit Florida veterans. The recommendations were forwarded to the Asset and Infrastructure Review Commission.
Rubio is a member of the U.S. Senate Military Construction, Veterans’ Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee.
“I am pleased that this report includes several recommendations that would benefit Florida veterans and their families, including the construction of 20 new VA facilities throughout the state,” Rubio said. “I look forward to working with the VA and AIR Commission to ensure Florida veterans are heard. Once approved, I will work with my colleagues to see these projects through to completion.”
Key recommendations for Florida:
- Construction of a new VA Medical Center (hospital) in Jacksonville, the fastest growing VA market in Florida;
- Replacement VA Medical Center in Miami;
- Strategic collaboration between the VA, DoD, and Naval Hospital in Pensacola to set up inpatient medical/surgical beds for Veterans at Naval Hospital Pensacola;
- Establish a strategic collaboration to provide inpatient medical and surgical service in the Lee County, Florida area;
- Construction of eight VA Community Living Centers in Brevard County, Broward County, Gainesville, Hillsborough County, Lake City, Lee County, Miami-Dade County, Volusia County;
- Construction of new VA Clinics in Palm Beach, Okaloosa, Bay, Hillsborough, Polk, and Brevard Counties;
- Construction of stand-alone residential rehab facilities in Hillsborough County, Lake City, Miami, and Pensacola;
- Expansion of outpatient services throughout Florida.
Author
