Chad Abshire
Staff Writer
FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Kentucky State Senate recently adopted Senate Resolution 193, which urges the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to consider establishing a VA Medical Center in southeastern Kentucky.
The resolution was proposed by Sen. Ray S. Jones, (D-Pikeville).
“It would be very easy to establish a VA Medical Center in southeastern Kentucky by contracting with a local hospital to provide the services for our veterans,” Jones said.
Kentucky currently has only two full-service veterans hospitals, the Lexington VA Medical Center and the Robley Rex VA Medical Center in Louisville.
This, according to Jones, leaves veterans who are residents of southeastern Kentucky with no other option than driving to Lexington, Louisville, or one of the surrounding states to utilize the services of a veterans hospital.
“Southeastern Kentucky is home to more than 34,000 veterans who have courageously served our country, many of whom sacrificed their own safety for the freedom of all Americans,” Jones said. “The courage and sacrifices exemplified by our veterans require no less than our unwavering determination to ensure that they are able to easily utilize the benefits they have so bravely earned.”
Sen. Johnny Ray Turner, (D-Prestonsburg), is the primary co-sponsor of the resolution.
“If the United States Department of Veterans Affairs would establish a VA Medical Center in southeastern Kentucky, it would greatly ease travel burdens of many veterans residing in Southeastern Kentucky who turn to VA Medical Centers for their healthcare needs,” Jones said.
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