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El Paso VA: operations ‘full steam ahead,’ outreach approvals delayed and clinic expansions planned
Summary
Interim director Mark Riello told the Veterans Advisory Council that clinical operations at the El Paso VA are continuing, but national-level approvals are delaying some community outreach. The VA outlined upcoming outreach events, a new health care center construction timeline and a push to expand pharmacy-run clinics.
Interim El Paso VA Healthcare System Director Mark Riello told the El Paso Veterans Advisory Council that clinical operations are continuing even as some community outreach and nonclinical events face delayed approvals from national leadership.
"Operations are normal at the El Paso VA Healthcare System. We are full steam ahead in serving our veterans," Riello said, adding that some community-facing events require approval "all the way to the top" and that event clearances currently are confirmed through March but unknown for April and later.
The council heard specifics about scheduled registration and outreach events. Riello said the VA will staff a Women PACT Act registration event on March 15 at the Bass Rec Center from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and an outreach registration event February 28 at the Nolan Richardson Recreation Center from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. He also mentioned a March 1 event in Las Cruces and the Borderplex Family Caregivers Expo in March, where multiple VA program offices will be present.
Riello described how outreach approvals differ by activity: "If our team is doing some type of face‑to‑face clinical care out in the community, those are absolutely getting approved very quickly. What is taking a little bit longer is if my program manager or myself or any of my staff are going out to the community to give a talk. Those are the things right now that I have to get approval from all the way to the top." He emphasized that the approval delay applies to all 141 VA medical centers nationwide.
On capital projects and clinic access, Riello said construction on the new Health Care Center adjacent to William Beaumont Medical Center is continuing and that observers should start to see steel go up around mid‑March. He described other planned expansions including a women's health clinic and an East Side urgent care site; a community‑based outpatient clinic for Horizon City remains on track. Riello said he had not been told of any funding reductions for those projects.
The VA also promoted a Clinical Pharmacy Practitioner (CPP) program to expand access to care for chronic conditions. Riello said pharmacists in the CPP program can manage conditions such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, thyroid disorders and smoking cessation, and that appointments are available immediately: "If our veteran calls us, have openings every single day. If our veteran calls (915) 564‑6100, press option 2, they can get in with one of our CPPs probably in the next 10 minutes," he said.
Council members raised hospice and end‑of‑life concerns. Members reported instances where hospice vendors said the VA’s approval timeline left too little time to prepare families and provide support. Riello invited follow‑up on specific cases and said he would pursue details.
Council discussion also touched on behavioral health and program continuity amid administrative changes. Riello said the VA had not received guidance to cut clinical behavioral health, women's health or LGBTQ services, but he acknowledged optics and public messaging had been adjusted to align with current national direction.
The council thanked Riello for the update and asked him to continue to coordinate with local groups when approvals are required for community talks and nonclinical outreach.
