Senator Richard Blumenthal was in Danbury yesterday to visit the Danbury Outpatient Clinic of the VA Connecticut Healthcare System. He is calling for major federal investments to modernize VA facilities.

Director of Nursing Kimberly Roy says they serve 2,000 veterans.  Operators of Danbury facility are looking to expand and could be in a new location, within a 5 mile radius, at some point next year.  Roy notes that they are able to provide telehealth services with staff at Connecticut’s main VA facility in West Haven.

Blumenthal and others are proposing a $1 trillion blueprint for infrastructure investment over the next ten years, including $10 billion for VA upgrades.  The VA estimates their facilities need as much as $50 billion in capital investment over the next decade.  60-percent of VA buildings are 50 years or older.

The Danbury facility provides general internal medical care, including care for immediate and chronic health concerns, preventative medical care, physical exams, diagnostic laboratory testing, general x-rays and limited immediate pharmacy services.