Federal delegation calling for report on Knoxville CBOC

Source: Knoxville Journal-Express

Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst, with Rep. Dave Loebsack, have sent a letter to VA Secretary Robert McDonald and US General Services Administrator Dan Tangherlini seeking answers to the many delays of the new community-based outpatient clinic in Knoxville.

Federal representatives received notice than an award for the new CBOC was expected in January 2014. That did not happen and the CBOC continues to operate out of Building One on the Knoxville VA campus, five years after inpatient services were discontinued at the facility.

"There has been more than enough time to fulfill the commitments that were made to Iowa veterans and the City of Knoxville," the letter reads. "While we understand that delays may occur and may even be unavoidable, the amount of time Iowa veterans have been waiting for this matter to be resolved is simply unacceptable."

The delegation has requested detailed information regarding the delay of the CBOC, an updated timeline for its award and steps taken to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. The full letter accompanies this article.

We will try to bring you more information as it becomes available.

# # #