Site Selection Underway for VA Clinics in Katy and Tomball

October 19, 2010

KATY, TX – Realtors are in the process of viewing potential sites in the Katy and Tomball areas for two new Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC) to address the healthcare needs of our veterans. The progress comes after two years of inquiries by Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX 10) cutting through the red tape of the Veterans’ Administration.

“This is progress for thousands of our veterans in west Harris County, as well as many in Austin, Waller and Washington Counties who rely on VA care but who have to travel all the way to the Medical Center in Houston for treatment,” said Rep. McCaul. “These brave men and women deserve to have their doctor in their own community and they can finally think of this in more realistic terms. Soon they’ll be able to drive by a site and say ‘that’s where it’s going’, and soon after that we should see construction.”

In its market research the VA is looking at existing structures that can be renovated and expanded. The VA’s current timeline is to select a site toward the end of this year, break ground next June and complete the facility in 2012.

When completed, the Katy and Tomball CBOC’s are each expected to accommodate 65,000 annual patient visits. Each will provide comprehensive primary care and mental health services. Primary care will consist of health promotion, maintenance, routine and urgent care procedures and education. Mental health services will provide medication management, screening and prevention for mental health disorders including evaluation for mental illness, substance abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and sexual trauma counseling.

Congressman McCaul remains committed to overseeing the site selection process and construction, holding the VA accountable to its proposed timeline for completion of each clinic. He is also committed to ensuring this process is transparent.