Congresswoman Esty visits Winsted VA

WINSTED — Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty (D-5) visited the Veterans Affairs (VA) Outpatient Clinic on Monday, March 6. 

The appearance was similar to U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal’s (D) visit to the VA on Feb. 23. Esty met with staff members and patients of the clinic.

“I have a new position on Congress’ Veterans Committee where I am the ranking member on the subcommittee dealing with veterans benefits,” Esty said. “This is a chance where I can get to see what is happening here in Winsted. This clinic serves half of the folks who live in my district. I want to see how this VA is working and see how I can be more effective on the committee to make sure we are taking care of the veterans who are serving our country.”

Winsted is not part of the 5th congressional district that Esty serves.

“One of the issues that the VA is facing is that there has been a hiring freeze,” Esty said. “I want to hear about how that may be impacting services here. I met with a group of veterans earlier today, and they talked to me about how the hiring freeze is impacting the appeals process. We are looking to make sure that people get the care that they deserve.”

Esty said the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014 (Choice Act) is currently under review by Congress. 

“It’s up for adjustment right now and that’s in part one of the reasons why I want to hear from folks,” Esty said. “People may have issues about how far they have to come [to get services]. People in the Northwest Corner may have a long drive so we want to make sure that things are accessible for everybody. Nationally, Connecticut is considered to be one of the best places in terms of serving our veterans with our VA centers. But there are always challenges.”

Kimberly Phaneuf, the nurse manager of the Winsted, Willimantic and New London VAs, gave Esty a tour of the facility.

Esty said that the VA currently has a year and a half left on its lease in the Winsted Health Center building, located at 115 Spencer St.

“Does the VA go about looking for a replacement and how does it go about looking for space?” Esty asked Phaneuf.

“It’s a big process,” Phaneuf said. “You have to submit a lot of numbers through a process. We submit that to Washington for approval. We are at about 3,000 square feet here in this clinic, and what we were approved for is 6,000 square feet.”

“I know that’s this is a process, and I also know that there is heavy usage for the clinic,” Esty said. “I want to make sure that you are properly resourced, and that includes space, equipment and personnel to meet the needs.”

While Phaneuf did not say whether or not the clinic would move after its lease is up, she said that the VA would stay within the area.

“I don’t think we will be going too far,” Phaneuf said. “Maybe within 10 miles.”