(Spirit Lake)– Efforts to get a Veteran’s Administration out-patient clinic located in Spirit Lake remain at a stand still.
Dickinson County Veteran’s Services Officer John Tonsfeldt says the problem stems from a new philosophy the White House wants the Veterans Administration to adopt that reorganizes the priority given to certain levels of healthcare veterans need…putting less of an emphasis on outpatient facilities.
Tonsfeldt says he’s visited with Doctor Randy Petzel, Director and CEO of the V-A Healthcare System for the central United States. Tonsfeldt says Petzel told him the Spirit Lake clinic had been a priority to open this year, that a business plan had been prepared and forwarded to the V-A for approval, but at this time no community-based outpatient clinic business plans are being approved.
Tonsfeldt is encouraging residents to contact the local congressional delegation regarding the matter.
