Veterans Affairs plans clinic in Wenatchee

YAKIMA – The secretary of the federal Department of Veterans Affairs has approved a proposal to build a new veterans outpatient health clinic in north central Washington, members of the state’s congressional delegation said Thursday.

Veterans groups have been lobbying for a central Washington clinic for years. Veterans in the region currently are limited to a visit by a mobile clinic from Spokane once a month, or they must travel 150 miles or more to Seattle or Spokane for health care. Those visits also often entail a wait of as long as a year for an initial appointment.

Federal officials estimate about 25,000 veterans from a six-county area will be served by the clinic. The clinic is expected to be operating by late this year or early 2007.

“Today is a great day for the veterans of north central Washington,” U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., said in a statement. “These brave men and women have waited far too long for access to the care they were promised by our grateful nation.”

A 2003 bill required the Department of Veterans Affairs to develop a plan for meeting the future hospital needs of veterans in the region. The department finalized a business plan for the new clinic in January, and Veterans Affairs Secretary Jim Nicholson signed off on the proposal this week.

“His signoff signifies a big step forward in making this clinic a reality and it’s great news for our local veterans who deserve hometown health care,” Republican U.S. Rep. Doc Hastings said in a statement.

Hastings’ office said the VA business plan estimates the first-year cost of the clinic at $4 million, including $1.1 million in nonrecurring activation costs.

The new clinic will offer outpatient primary and mental health care for veterans in Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Grant, Kittitas and Okanogan counties. The clinic, to be operated by the Spokane VA Medical Center in a leased space, likely will be located in or near Wenatchee.

Federal officials estimate the clinic could expect 10,000 visits in its first year.

Local officials cheered the news Thursday.

“Knowing how hard it is for some of our veterans to get to Seattle or Spokane, it’s welcome news. It’s been a long time coming,” said Cathy Mulhall, Chelan County administrator.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Pharmacist Nisha Mathew prepares a Pfizer COVID booster shot for a patient at Bartell Drugs on Broadway on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett lawmakers back universal health care bill, introduced in Olympia

Proponents say providing health care for all is a “fundamental human right.” Opponents worry about the cost of implementing it.

Outside of the updated section of Lake Stevens High School on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 in Lake Stevens, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens, Arlington school measures on Feb. 11 ballot

A bond in Lake Stevens and a levy in Arlington would be used to build new schools.

Lake Stevens Sewer District wastewater treatment plant. (Lake Stevens Sewer District)
Lake Stevens sewer district trial delayed until April

The dispute began in 2021 and centers around when the city can take over the district.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

A salmon carcass lays across willow branches in Edgecomb Creek on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Tribes: State fish passage projects knock down barriers for local efforts

Court-ordered projects have sparked collaboration for salmon habitat restoration

The Everett Municipal Building on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett council approves $111 million construction of sewer project

The Port Gardner Storage Facility, in the works for more than a decade, will help prevent overflows of the city sewer system.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.