Area veterans now have options when it comes to healthcare, thanks to the opening of an outpatient clinic in Monroeville.

U.S. Representative Jo Bonner, R-Alabama, joined federal, state and local officials today in cutting the ribbon to officially open the brand new Monroeville Community-Based Outpatient Clinic.

“For many years now, I have supported the location of a community-based VA outpatient clinic in southwest Alabama to make it easier for our veterans to get access to care,” Bonner said. “I am excited about the convenience this beautiful new facility will afford veterans living in Monroe and surrounding counties who until now had to travel to VA hospitals or clinics far from home to get even basic primary care services.”

Bonner said the availability of health care for veteran’s has been limited with the new clinic offering better access to healthcare options.

“Veteran health care is not effective unless it is accessible,” Bonner said.  “There are nearly 420,000 veterans in Alabama and half of them are over age 60. While many live near one of the four VA hospitals or 14 VA outpatient clinics already located across the state, that was not the case for southwest Alabama veterans.”

Before Monday’s opening of the Monroeville clinic, the closest Alabama-based VA outpatient clinics were located in Mobile and Selma.  The opening of the Monroeville VA Outpatient Clinic means that southwest Alabama veterans can remain in our region to receive primary care and other services such as X-ray, laboratory work and local pharmacy support, Bonner said.

The new Monroeville Community-Based Outpatient Clinic is located at 159 Whetstone Street, Monroeville, AL, 36460.

“While the wait has been long, it is rewarding to finally see this long-held dream become a reality,” Bonner said Monday. “Congratulations to so many in the community who have long fought for this clinic.”