May 15, 2020

Dear Senator Menendez, Senator Booker, Congressman Pallone, and Congressman Smith:

I am writing to you today regarding the planned closure of the Veterans Affairs Clinic located at 654 E Jersey Street in Elizabeth, New Jersey. This facility, which provides primary care services to veterans in the Elizabeth area and employs two doctors and two nurses, provides a suite of essential services to veterans in Union and nearby counties.

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) has indicated its intentions to permanently close this facility due to underuse. While DVA has suggested that veterans instead utilize the VA hospital in East Orange, I strongly believe that existing transition plans are insufficient, especially as it pertains to transportation. As it currently stands, many veterans – especially seniors – may not be able to take public transportation to the East Orange VA hospital, which involves a one-hour trip requiring two separate transfers. Even public transportation to nearby clinics in Piscataway and Jersey City involve similarly complex routes with travel times of approximately 40 and 90 minutes, respectively.

DVA representatives have suggested that a new parking facility may be built adjacent to the East Orange hospital, which would go a long way in meeting veterans’ transportation needs. However, the construction of this parking facility may take up to three years, whereas the Elizabeth clinic is due for closure this July 10. If this clinic is to be closed, a more immediate – if temporary – solution is needed.

Moreover, I am concerned by an evident lack of care displayed by DVA throughout the process of closing this facility. DVA first indicated this closure through a secure VA message on Monday, May 4 that advertised a virtual town hall meeting on Thursday, May 7. As noted, the lease for the Elizabeth clinic is due to expire on July 10, leaving barely 60-days’ time between the time of this town hall and the planned deactivation of this facility. Notably, this virtual town hall hosted 30 attendees, and I am sure that more would have joined with greater notice and improved communications.

I am troubled by the potential for a rushed process, and I believe that we must ensure that the concerns of all local veterans are heard and addressed before we move forward. As such, I respectfully urge you to contact the Department of Veterans Affairs to request that these plans be withdrawn for further discussion, or, should the facility’s impending closure prove intractable, that a sustainable and immediate stop-gap solution be implemented to ensure that these veterans can continue to obtain services without unreasonable inconvenience.

Thank you for your consideration and continued efforts on behalf of our New Jersey residents.

Sincerely,

Vin Gopal
Chair, Senate Military & Veterans Affairs Committee
Senator, 11th Legislative District