“I am outraged and angry. In four days, the federal government plans to close the Schenectady VA Clinic and strip away access to essential health care close to home for more than 1,600 local veterans.

For months, I have fought this decision every step of the way. I called for meetings. I wrote letters pressing for answers. I called on the federal VA to pause the closure and consider alternatives that could keep this clinic open. I was met with silence. I even had to file a federal FOIA request just to get records explaining how this decision was made.

Sadly, this is happening amid federal budget cuts and cost-cutting at the VA. The records I obtained show that projected savings are driving this plan. The bottom line is the federal government is looking to save money, and more than 1,600 local veterans are being asked to pay the price. These are men and women who served our country. Their health care should always come first.

Four days from closure, the silence from the federal VA is unacceptable. Veterans deserve answers, not excuses. They deserve access to care, not another barrier standing in their way.

The federal government made this decision, and the federal government can stop it. Stop the closure. Keep the Schenectady VA Clinic open. At the very least, pause the closure and meet with us before taking this care away from more than 1,600 veterans. Our veterans deserve better!”