U.S. Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand are urging the Department of Veterans Affairs to halt plans to close a veterans clinic in Schenectady.
The senators called for immediate answers and said the closure should not move forward without assurances that care for more than 1,500 veterans will not be disrupted.
The VA plans to close the clinic Aug. 28 and shift patients to facilities in Albany, Clifton Park, Fonda and Oneonta.
The senators said veterans are concerned about longer wait times, increased travel distances and disruptions to ongoing care.
They also questioned how the VA will handle patient transfers, staffing and access to specialty services.
The lawmakers requested detailed information from the VA, including studies supporting the closure and plans to manage patient demand at other clinics.
They asked for responses by April 10.
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