VA Secretary McDonough Celebrates Major Expansion of Tucson Veterans Hospital under PACT Act

The Tucson VA Medical Center is set for a significant expansion this year, focusing on the mental health clinic, primary care facility, and emergency department. Officials have confirmed that these changes are aimed at improving veteran services and reducing wait times.

During a recent press conference, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough emphasized that ending veteran suicide remains one of the VA’s top priorities. The hospital on Tucson’s South Side will see these expansions as part of a broader effort to enhance care for nearly 1,000 new veterans recently enrolled in the Southern Arizona VA.

U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani joined McDonough in stressing the need for bipartisan cooperation to improve services for veterans. “There is a lot of noise around, but when it comes to our veterans, we gotta leave all that aside and actually work together on this,” he said.

The mental health clinic will see an addition of 7,600 square feet, while the primary care area will expand by 11,250 square feet starting in October. The emergency department will also be renovated and expanded by 8,000 square feet, with work expected to begin by the end of the year.

The Southern Arizona VA Health Care System, encompassing the Tucson VA Medical Center, seven outpatient clinics, and three Rural Health Coordination Centers, provides care to over 175,000 veterans across Arizona and New Mexico. McDonough revealed that the Southern Arizona VA has a nearly 92 percent positive rating from veterans, with the aim to achieve perfect satisfaction.

On the issue of wait times, McDonough noted an 11 percent reduction in average wait times nationwide due to recent access improvements. He confirmed that the VA’s expansion efforts not only focus on increasing physical space but also on addressing staffing needs, which have been hindered by slow hiring processes that are now being actively addressed.

Furthermore, McDonough underscored the VA’s commitment to combating veteran homelessness, recognizing its link to mental health issues. He highlighted the impact of the PACT Act, passed two years ago, which expanded healthcare and benefits for over 1.1 million veterans exposed to toxic substances like “burn pits” during military service. McDonough urged eligible veterans to file claims to access these benefits, emphasizing that the PACT Act is working but still has room to reach millions more veterans.