WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa today said that the Department of Veterans Affairs has awarded a lease contract for a community based outpatient clinic in Knoxville.
“This is great news for veterans in Knoxville and the area and for the whole community,” Grassley said. “Once the new outpatient clinic is up and running, it will remove the last obstacle preventing the VA from making important decisions about what to do with the rest of the old VA campus, which is currently sitting idle. The VA has an obligation to fulfill its promises in Knoxville. The lease award is a major step toward accomplishing that. Next, the VA will need to work toward completing construction as soon as possible. Veterans and the community members shouldn’t have to wait any longer than they already have. And the VA needs to work with the community on the best use for the old campus that meets the community’s needs.”
Grassley has worked to give veterans more health care options. This summer, he sponsored legislation to give veterans more choice and flexibility in health care services.
Construction on the Knoxville outpatient clinic, which will be located at 1607 Lincoln Ave. North in Knoxville, is anticipated to be completed in the spring of 2017, with doors opening to veterans following the summer of 2017. The clinic will allow VA to provide timely access to primary care, audiology, podiatry, optometry and mental health services.