Veterans Affairs clinic planned for Branson

The congressmen have been working to bring a VA clinic to Branson for more than three years; it was first approved in 2004.

A site for the clinic has not been determined. Officials estimate it will treat 900 existing patients and 3,900 new patients, according to a news release from Bond and Blunt.

“Having a second clinic, like the current one in Mount Vernon, means more convenience and care closer to home for thousands of local veterans,” Blunt said in the release. “That will save many (patients) trips to Mount Vernon or Fayetteville, Ark., to see a VA doctor.”

The parent VA facility is in Fayetteville.

A combination of VA and contract services will provide routine medications at the clinic. Services will include primary care, health promotion, maintenance, routine and urgent care procedures, and education. The clinic also will offer outpatient mental health services, including medication management, substance abuse treatment and counseling, individual and group counseling, and assessment and therapy.

Specialty care consultations, laboratory services and X-rays will be referred to the Fayetteville clinic.