Congressman Chris Smith, Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, made the following statement about today’s opening of the Fort Monmouth Veterans Clinic.
Congressman Chris Smith, Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, made the following statement about today’s opening of the Fort Monmouth Veterans Clinic.
“Today is a landmark day for the thousands of area veterans who depend on the VA health system for their care. Beginning today, this new facility at Fort Monmouth will provide veterans with local, more convenient, and hopefully more timely access to continued quality healthcare from the VA.
“In its first year alone, the Fort Monmouth Clinic is expected to handle more than 10,000 patient visits on a variety of healthcare matters. I am pleased that after more than two years of pushing for the opening of this facility, especially given the austere budgetary conditions, we have arrived at this day.
“The Monmouth Clinic will enhance the delivery of healthcare for veterans in central New Jersey by alleviating the overcrowding at the nearby Brick Clinic. It will also enable veterans from Monmouth County and points north to have a shorter trip to receive healthcare. Over the next few months, the clinic staff will be fully installed, allowing veterans to obtain not only general care, but also mental healthcare as well as sessions with social workers and nutritionists. This wide array of services means veterans can visit not only when they are ill, but optimally also when they are healthy so they can remain healthy.
“I wish the best to the staff and first-day patients of the Fort Monmouth Clinic and I look forward to visiting in the very near future.”
