Berkley wants vets’ hospital built in Southern Nevada

Tuesday, April 23, 2002 | 10:48 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., today formally requested that the federal Department of Veterans Affairs build a comprehensive veterans hospital in Southern Nevada.

The area needs a facility that offers specialty services, an outpatient clinic and long-term care, Berkley told Veterans Affairs Secretary Anthony Principi in a letter today.

Berkley's letter explains that veterans receive care at the Mike O'Callaghan Federal Hospital, but some veterans must seek specialty surgery in Long Beach, Calif.

Berkley said the Addeliar Guy III Ambulatory Care Clinic, a primary care center for veterans, is structurally damaged and has difficulty meeting needs as Las Vegas' veterans population increases. The clinic is being shuttered as early as September for at least a year so officials can address structural problems. Temporary sites will be provided in the interim.

And Berkley cited a rapidly increasing need for long-term care space for veterans.

"This is not a service that can be contracted for through private providers, due to the lack of long-term care facilities in the area," Berkley said. "Available facilities can handle only a tiny fraction of the demand."

Berkley asked Principi for a meeting to discuss details.