For over a century, the VA facility in Hot Springs has served our veterans. It is an historic facility that has a reputation for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and substance abuse treatment. Aside from the critical care it provides to the brave men and women who answered the call to serve, it also supports an entire community. But last December, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) turned the community upside down by proposing to essentially shutter operations at the facility.
The response by the veterans and members of the community has been inspiring. They banded together and demanded answers from the VA, but unfortunately, the VA's response has been lacking. From failing to initially provide a cost-benefit analysis to its most recent claim that it could not negotiate on the final proposal, the VA has been giving the Hot Springs community the runaround. Folks involved with the Save the VA Committee invested countless hours in crafting a counterproposal that they had been assured would be given serious consideration. Unfortunately, it appears the VA has gone back on its word.
The actions by the VA have deeply damaged its relationship with the Hot Springs community and has caused many to lose trust in its word. Like all South Dakotans, I want what's best for our veterans, and I believe that the proposal coming out of the

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