Rounds Questions VA Nominee Dr. David Shulkin on Future of Hot Springs During Confirmation Hearing

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, today questioned Dr. David Shulkin, nominee to be Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on the future of the VA facility in Hot Springs, SD.

“At the Black Hills VA System in Hot Springs, SD, there are a host of individuals there who have—since that town was created—served veterans at in-treatment facilities,” said Rounds during the hearing. “They’ve also made it very clear that they want to continue that. In fact, they’re one of your five-star facilities in the United States…In our meeting the other day, you indicated a willingness to take a look and to find something that would work for the community of Hot Springs in their desire to serve veterans. Would you commit that you will take a second look at it to see if we can make this work for the veterans in that area? It’s not just South Dakota. It’s Wyoming, Colorado and Nebraska as well.”

“The afternoon after we met, I already had a chance to get on the phone with the Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISN) Director and the facilities director out in that area,” replied Dr. Shulkin. “I had them go through their rationale about how they got to their decision making. I had some additional questions, much like you, and I appreciate you bringing those to my attention. We are going to relook at this. There were actually a couple options on the table…I have begun the process of looking at that and I will get back to you and discuss with you what some of those options are. I want to get your thoughts on how we can serve veterans in that area best.”

Rounds is a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, which has jurisdiction over Dr. Shulkin’s confirmation hearing.

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