National American Legion Commander Requests that VA Secretary Visit Hot Springs

WATERTOWN In a press release dated Dec. 3, the head of the largest veterans organization in the United States invites the head of the VA to come and visit the Hot Springs VA.

Michael Helm, the National Commander for the American Legion, has requested that newly confirmed Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald to a site visit to the VA Black Hills Health Care Systems Hot Springs campus.

In a letter hand delivered to Sec. McDonald on Dec. 1, Commander Helms notes the American Legions involvement with the Hot Springs VA, including a System Worth Saving task force from the American Legion doing a site visit in 2012 and a follow up earlier this year, and that S.D. State Commander Tim Jurgens testified at a U.S. House Veterans Affairs Committee meeting, held in Hot Springs in August.

Mr. Secretary, the letter states, The American Legion and veterans in Hot Springs are concerned about the future of their hospital, which has been designated by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as a national landmark.

The press release continues, making several other notes concerning veterans healthcare in the Hot Springs area.

After years of diminishing the health care services at the Hot Springs VA Medical Center, the Black Hills Health Care System announced in December of 2011 the reconfiguration of health care services in the system. With the reconfiguration, the VA Medical Hospital in Hot Springs was slated to close and the Domiciliary was targeted to be relocated to Rapid City.

The American Legion feels an injustice is being done by making aged and disabled veteran drive an additional 200 miles round trip to receive health care. The Hot Springs Medical Facility provides medical treatment to the veterans in western South Dakota, northern Nebraska, eastern Wyoming and the Rosebud and Pine Ridge Reservations.

With the new S.D. State Veterans Home presently under construction with 100 plus beds, the veterans living at the State Home will also have to travel 200 miles round trip for care.

The American Legion was founded more than 96 years ago by veterans who wanted to take care of returning war time veterans. Today, the American Legion stands tall in standing up for our veterans and making sure all are receiving proper health care.

Denied Benefits?

If you served in the military and now find yourself denied benefits, we can help.

Visit our blog.

Veterans Day

Veterans Day 2024

In 1918, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, an armistice was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in World War I. In 1938, November 11th became a federal

Read More »
Book veterans benefits on a big flag

VA Benefits and Disaster Relief

When a natural disaster strikes, the last thing you want to worry about is your VA benefits.  Luckily, the VA is aware of the recent spike in extreme weather, including Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton,

Read More »
Vets National Logo White

Request a Free Consultation

Contact Us

Follow Us

PRIOR RESULTS DO NOT GUARANTEE A SIMILAR OUTCOME. VETSNATIONAL IS OWNED BY MATTAR LLC VETERANS ADVOCATES WHICH IS NOT A LAW FIRM. WE ARE VETERANS ADVOCATES AND WORK WITH DISABILITY HELP GROUP (DHG) WHEN HELPING VETERANS WITH DENIED DISABILITY CLAIMS AND THEY WILL RESPOND TO CONTACTS FROM OUR WEBSITE. NO CLIENT-LAWYER RELATIONSHIP IS CREATED WITH THE COMPANY. THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT. COSTS AND EXPENSES ARE CLAIMANT’S RESPONSIBILITY. SUBJECT TO THE WRITTEN RETAINER AGREEMENT, SERVICES MAY BE PERFORMED BY OTHERS. PRIOR RESULTS DO NOT GUARANTEE A SIMILAR OUTCOME.

Privacy Policy  |  © 2021 VetsNational. All Rights Reserved