RENO, NV – Following a successful push from U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV), President Joe Biden signed bipartisan legislation last week to officially authorize the construction of a new veterans hospital in Reno. The Veterans Affairs Major Medical Facility Authorization Act, which Senator Rosen helped introduce, authorizes the development of a new $224 million Veterans Affairs Medical Center to serve veterans across Northern Nevada.
KRNV Reno: UNR is only site still under consideration for new Reno VA hospital, officials say
Reporter: “Last month, President Joe Biden signed a bill authorizing the VA to spend $224 million to start land acquisition and preliminary site work on a new campus, unlike previous plans to renovate the current one on Kirman Avenue.”
Senator Rosen: “It’s going to cost so much and not even be able to maybe accept the kinds of new technology. So, we knew we needed a new one.”
Reporter: “It comes after a bipartisan, years-long push from Nevada’s congressional delegation. Multiple sites had been under consideration, but on Wednesday, News 4 Fox 11 confirmed that UNR is the only site still being considered. The 43-acre spot is on the north end of campus between Mackay Stadium and McCarran Boulevard.”
Senator Rosen: “And so, it’s really important how it’s going to boost our economy, boost our medical community, our professional training, for all of our schools.”
KTVN Reno: $224-million Veterans Affairs hospital approved for Reno
Reporter: “Senator Rosen says she pushed President Biden on construction of the future Veterans Administration Medical Center, because veterans in our region need access to state-of-the-art facilities.”
Senator Rosen: “This money had already been allocated to upgrade the current hospital, but as they did their assessment, in order to upgrade it with the latest machines, X-Ray machines, capabilities, operating rooms, technology, you name it, it actually would be more cost effective and so much better if we could build a new hospital. So, we took the funds that were allocated for upgrades, and these are the initial funding.”
KOLO Reno: Rosen helps bring new VA hospital to Reno
Anchor: “For the first time, Senator Jacky Rosen is talking about plans to build a new VA hospital in the Reno area after it cleared all the federal hurdles. President Joe Biden signed the Veterans Affairs Major Medical Facility Authorization Act into law just nine days ago. It shifts the $224 million dollars away from renovating the existing Reno VA hospital to instead build a completely new veterans medical center. The search for a new location is happening now. One possible location wraps around the north side of the University of Nevada’s medical school. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto and Rosen helped start this process by introducing the bipartisan bill.”
Senator Rosen: “I’m so excited because our veterans, they really sign on that dotted line with an oath to protect and defend the United States, our Constitution, They’re willing to sacrifice their lives. So, it’s our sacred obligation, I believe, to be sure that they’re taken care of when they come home.”
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