Escobar, Gonzales attended groundbreaking ceremony for new VA health care center

EL PASO, Texas ( KTSM ) — Texas Representatives Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, and Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the new El Paso VA health care center.

The ceremony took place on Wednesday, Aug. 28 at Fort Bliss, 18549 Heavy Medics.

“This historic investment in VA Health Care marks an exciting new chapter for Southwest Texas and Southern New Mexico Veterans,” said Froy Garza, El Paso VA Health Care System executive director. “The construction of this state-of-the-art health care facility will build upon our commitment to meet the health care needs of those who have given so much in service to our country.”

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs was awarded $617,499,000 to design and build the new VA healthcare center in El Paso, according to the news release by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

“Today’s groundbreaking marks a new chapter for veterans in West Texas,” said Congressman Tony Gonzales. “When I was elected to serve in Congress, I was fresh out of the U.S. Navy, taking care of our troops has always been personal for me. The men and women who answered the call to serve deserve access to the best quality of care. I am incredibly proud that the $700 million I helped secure for this new VA facility will be used to provide enhanced healthcare services to tens of thousands of West Texas veterans.”

According to the news release by the VA, the new 492,996-square-foot facility will support and improve access care to for over 54,000 veterans in the region. The care will include primary care, mental health, specialty care and ancillary services.

“It is an honor to work for our veterans and help break ground on the new VA Health Care Center. This new facility will provide primary and specialized care, mental health support, surgery, and more to over 50,000 veterans enrolled in the El Paso VA Health System,” said Congresswoman Veronica Escobar through her X account. “El Paso has four members of Congress (2 senators, 2 House reps.), and I’m proud to have voted ‘yes’ for this transformational investment along with Texas Senator John Cornyn. Along with the Pact Act, which I also supported, we are seeing historic investment in healthcare for our veterans.”

The new VA health care center project is expected to open for patient care in 2028, according to the VA.

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