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Warren County urges federal officials to reconsider closing local VA clinic, commission votes unanimously
Summary
By a 22–0 vote the Warren County Commission approved a resolution urging the governor and federal representatives to act to prevent the announced closure of the Warren County VA clinic, citing veterans' healthcare access and local staffing/contractor concerns.
The Warren County Commission unanimously approved a resolution asking state and federal officials to reconsider the announced closing of the county's local Department of Veterans Affairs clinic.
Commissioner Thomas Adams introduced Resolution 3-20-26, saying the closure would place an undue burden on Warren County veterans and noting the county has a "veteran population of thousands." The resolution directs the county executive, once signed, to send the petition to the governor and to the county's federal delegation.
Adams and other commissioners said the closure appeared tied to contractor and staffing issues raised by veterans who reported inconsistent service; Adams said the clinic's contractor relationship had been terminated by the third-party contractor that manages the clinic, and staff pointed to staffing turnover and veterans' complaints as contributing reasons announced by the contractor.
The commission approved an amendment to correct a name in the resolution (changing an incorrectly listed "Carl Rose" to "John Rose") before passing the measure 22–0. In closing remarks the chair said county officials and state legislators were working on avenues to keep a clinic in town and encouraged residents to contact representatives.
The unanimous vote sends the resolution to County Executive Terry Bell for signature and requests outreach to Tennessee officials and the county's federal delegation to seek alternatives to the announced closure.
