Washington, D.C. (May 10, 2021) – Eastern Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) sent a letter to Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough requesting the timely restoration of 24/7 urgent care at Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center in Spokane.

“The announcement that the VA will reinstate 24/7 urgent care at Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center was very welcome news,” Rodgers wrote in the letter. “This has been one of my top priorities to help better serve veterans in Eastern Washington for the last 7 years, when services were reduced. Veterans are our nation’s heroes, and it is important that we honor their solemn commitment by delivering the gold-standard, timely care they have earned.”

In the letter, Cathy also requested the answers to the following questions:

1. As staff recruitment has been an issue in the past, what is the timeline for hiring the required staff so that 24/7 urgent care at Mann-Grandstaff can be restored by the end of the year as planned?
2. I understand that another COVID-19 outbreak could disrupt the plan to restore 24/7 urgent care by the end of the year. What metrics will be used to determine if the plan can move forward, keeping public health interests in mind?

NOTE: During Cathy’s visit with Secretary McDonough to Mann-Grandstaff last month, Medical Center Director Dr. Robert Fischer announced plans to open a 24/7 urgent care center by the end of 2021. Expanding access to urgent care for veterans in Eastern Washington has long been a priority for Cathy who has spent years calling for the creation of a 24-hour facility.

You can read Cathy’s full letter to Secretary McDonough here: LINK

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