Colorado Delegation Praises VA Decision on Stand Alone VA Medical Center in Aurora

Washington, DC – Today, members of the Colorado Congressionaldelegation met with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Eric Shinseki,and discussed plans to move forward with building the new VA MedicalCenter at the Fitzsimons medical campus in Aurora.

After the meeting, the delegation released the following statementexpressing support for Sec. Shinseki's decision to move forward withconstructing a stand-alone hospital at the Fitzsimons campus.

The delegation stated:

"By listening to the concerns of the Colorado Congressional delegation,our local veterans' community and veterans' service organizations, youhave truly shown your dedication to our veterans and their families.

We thank you for your commitment to the men and women who have servedour nation and we look forward to working with you to completeconstruction on Denver's replacement hospital so our veterans canreceive the best possible health care."

The entire Colorado delegation has been supportive of building a standalone replacement facility to fulfill the promise to provide the bestpossible medical care to the 700,000 veterans in this region.

Details announced today include:

A new VA Medical Center to be built on the Fitzsimons medical campus inAurora with a 200 total bed unit including a 30-bed spinal cord unit toserve veterans throughout the Rocky Mountain Region

Health Care Centers providing ambulatory care and same-day surgical services in Colorado Springs and Billings, MT

Eight new health care facilities in rural areas throughout the region.

Construction will begin within 60-90 days with expected opening in 2013.