U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu announced that one of five Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) scheduled to open in Louisiana in the next 12 months will be located in Leesville.
These Veterans Affairs (VA) operated clinics will be either funded or reimbursed by the VA. Dr. Doug Brandon, a member of the Military Affairs division of the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce, has been fighting for a VA clinic in Leesville for years, he said.
“We began on this project more than eight years ago,” he added.
Thousands of veterans living in West Central Louisiana and East Texas must travel to the VA hospital in Pineville to receive treatment, he said.
“When you’re sick that is a hard option,” said Brandon.
Brandon and other members of the Military Affairs Committee approached municipalities, organizations and leaders from across the area and received assistance in the form of letters and resolutions declaring that a VA clinic in Leesville would be beneficial not only to veterans, but to the community as well.
“The goal of the VA is to bring help to veterans,” said Brandon. “The opening of this clinic is going to bring a lot of good to a lot of people.”
In addition to bringing closer medical care to veterans the opening of the clinic will provide jobs.
It is estimated that the facility will employ at least two doctors, one physician’s assistant, nurses and staff.
The site for the new clinic has not been determined, but the hopes are that it will be located near an existing medical facility so that the clinic can share lab and x-ray equipment.
The clinic will mainly provide primary care and mental health. There will be no specialists. Instead, efforts will  focus on preventative medicine and the treatment of routine illnesses.
“We as a community showed our support for the clinic. This is an example of what good things can happen when a community works together,” Brandon said.