Allred, Ellzey Lead Introduction of Bipartisan Bill Authorizing Construction of VA Facilities, Including Additional Funding for Spinal Cord Injury Center in Dallas

DALLAS  –  Congressman Colin Allred (D-TX-32) and Congressman Jake Ellzey (R-TX-06), members of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, today co-lead the introduction of the Fiscal Year 2022 Veterans Affairs Major Medical Facility Authorization Act. This bipartisan bill authorizes several Veterans Affairs construction projects funded in fiscal year 2022, including continued funding for the spinal cord injury center at the Dallas VA Medical Center and funding to build a new health care center in El Paso, Texas. Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (D-TX-16), who represents El Paso, is also an original cosponsor of the legislation.

“Texas is home to the second largest number of veterans in the nation and as our veteran population continues to grow we must invest in our VA facilities,” said Allred. “That’s why I am proud to co-lead this bill with Congressman Ellzey to expand health care facilities for our veterans and create jobs. It’s the same reason I lead the charge to establish the Garland VA, and I am so proud that this bill moves forward the Long Term Care Spinal Cord Injury Center in Dallas, the construction of a new health care center in El Paso and other critical projects across the country.”

"Here in North Texas, we do an excellent job of taking care of our veterans. But we can always do better. This bill will help in the development of a Spinal Cord Injury Center at the Dallas VA,” said Ellzey. "Joining Rep. Allred in sponsoring this bill authorizing VA medical facilities’ projects shows that despite all of the things we have going on in our country that we might disagree upon, the American people and Congress agree that we should do more for our veterans."

“Maintaining and building facilities is a fundamental element of preserving and strengthening VA’s specialized systems of care,” said Heather Ansley, Paralyzed Veterans of America Associate Executive Director of Government Relations. “We thank Representative Allred and Representative Ellzey for introducing the VA Major Medical Facility Authorization Act which will provide funding for critical construction projects like the spinal cord injuries and disorders centers in Dallas and San Diego.”

This additional funding will help complete the Dallas project, which is currently underway and will construct a 30-bed Long Term Care Spinal Cord Injury Center, with the capacity to expand to 60 beds. The project was hailed by a wounded Texas veteran as a “godsend” for himself and fellow veterans who suffered spinal cord injuries. In addition to providing long-term care for the medical complications of spinal cord injuries/disorders, the center will provide a residential setting in which highly dependent or medically complex veterans could live on a long-term basis, receiving the specialized environment, staff skills and equipment that they require.

The complete list of projects and the total amounts authorized in the bill are below:

• Spinal cord injury center in Dallas at $292,239,000
• New health care center in El Paso at $150,000,000
• Restoration and consolidation of the Gulfport Hospital in Biloxi, MS at $341,500,000
• Community living center and domiciliary and outpatient facilities in Canandaigua, NY at $443,900,000
• Seismic corrections to the mental health and community living center in Long Beach, CA at $387,300,000
• Spinal cord injury building with a community living center and parking garage in San Diego, CA at $262,100,000
• New research facility in San Francisco, CA at $254,880,000
• New critical care center in West Los Angeles, CA at $115,790,000
• Seismic retrofit and renovation of buildings in Portland, OR at $20,000,000
• Replacement bed tower and clinical building expansion in St. Louis, MO at $135,340,000
• New surgical intensive care unit and renovated operating rooms in Oklahoma City, OK at $47,564,000
• New medical facility in Louisville, KY at $953,000,000

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