HOLT, PALLONE ANNOUNCE VETERANS CLINIC WILL REMAIN IN MONMOUTH COUNTY

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Rush Holt (NJ-12) and U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today announced that the Department of Veterans Affairs has fulfilled its pledge to keep a Community-based Outpatient Clinic in Monmouth County after the closure of Ft. Monmouth later this year.

“I’m pleased that Secretary Shinseki has honored his commitment to central New Jersey’s veterans by keeping the clinic here,” said Holt. “Maintaining continuity of care for those who have sacrificed so much for us is vital. This clinic will help ensure the health needs of our veterans continue to be met.”

This week, VA officials in Washington confirmed to Holt and Pallone that the VA New Jersey Health Care System CBOC at Ft. Monmouth will be relocated from the Patterson Army Health Clinic on Stephenson Avenue at Ft. Monmouth to 55 Gilbert Street in Tinton Falls, NJ.

“This new facility maintains the same quality of care and is still accessible and convenient for veterans in the area,” said Pallone. “I commend the VA for recognizing the importance of maintaining a presence in Monmouth County and for finding ways to better serve local veterans by offering new services that better address mental health and women’s health needs.”

The timeline for the transfer of operations is expected to be June 30, 2011, with an expected opening date at the new location on July 5, 2011, according to VA officials.

The new Tinton Falls CBOC will maintain primary care services, social work services, nutrition advice, laboratory services and mental health services but will also offer specialty care. Services added to the CBOC include expanded women’s health services and optometry. Additionally, telehealth services at the facility will provide veterans with access to specialty care doctors without needing to travel to several separate facilities.