Noem promises to “push back” against proposed VA Healthcare System changes in South Dakota

March 7, 2022
Mike Tanner

PIERRE, S.D.–Governor Kristi Noem is not happy with an announcement from the Biden Administration that would re-shape the VA Health Care System in South Dakota.

Under the president’s proposal, full-service VA hospitals in Fort Meade and Hot Springs would be turned into clinics, the Sioux Falls VA hospital would lose its emergency services, and the clinic in Wagner would close entirely.

In a statement, Governor Noem said, ” When I voted to modernize VA healthcare in 2018, we had the goal of expanding healthcare options for our veterans. We wanted them to be able to choose the care that was best for them. The Biden Administration’s action will only limit those options and shortchange our veterans. It was not the intent of our vote, so I am promising to push back.”

In her closing statement, Governor Noem said, “We will defend our South Dakota facilities and stand up for the men and women who stood up for us.”