OMAHA- The city would get a new veterans hospital and Fremont and Council Bluffs would get new veterans clinics under proposals outlined in a Veterans Affairs report that calls for a massive, nationwide overhaul of its facilities.

The main losses for the state under the proposal would be eventual reductions in urgent care hours and nursing home beds at the Grand Island VA Medical Center and the closure of a small outpatient clinic in Sidney.

“It looks good for Nebraska veterans,” said Holden Armstrong, communications director for the Nebraska Department of Veterans Affairs.

The recommendations are, however, just a first step in what will be a long process, and one subject to change. The recommendations next will be reviewed by an independent commission, which has a year to review them. Members will seek public comment and likely will visit many of the communities listed in the proposals. The panel’s recommendations eventually would go to Congress and President Joe Biden. If they’re approved, it would take a decade or more to implement many of the recommendations.

“That is a long way of saying we are a long way from any action happening,” said Ron Woolery, a regional VA spokesman.

Overall, 35 VA medical centers in 21 states would be closed or rebuilt under the proposal as part of the nearly $2 trillion infrastructure overhaul, according to the Military Times.

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