To the editor:

I sent the following letter to Cape Coral City Council:

TO: City of Cape Coral Mayor and Councilmembers,

My purpose with this email letter is to trigger a serious discussion and encourage strong support by our military veterans, citizens, public employees, and publicly elected officials, to take all appropriate actions needed to expand and build a VA Hospital/Medical Center in Cape Coral, serving all of Southwest Florida.

WHY Cape Coral ?  

Because National data shows that Cape Coral is growing FAST and will soon be a VERY LARGE CITY, in a County where every governmental entity is trying to keep up with infrastructure needs (including healthcare). Plus, Because the Lee County VA Healthcare Center in Cape Coral appears to have enough vacant land around it to easily accommodate expansion and new construction to become a VA Hospital/Medical Center, BEFORE that changes, officials need to identify and take appropriate actions to preclude that land from being committed to other uses.

WHY NOW ? 

Because Cape Coral has the Lee County VA Healthcare Center but it does not have hospital beds, emergency services, nor all specialties and it appears it is already not fully meeting the needs of SWFL Veterans, as evidenced by the lead times waiting for some services. Already, 35% of Veterans say they usually cannot get an appointment for urgent needs when they need it.* Just to keep up requires focused forecasting and planning with both public and private support to achieve appropriate and necessary approvals and funding.

ALSO, Because knowing that moving to the next level of VA healthcare facilities and services will require specific criteria be met, and will require City, County, State, and the Federal government to become involved, getting approval and funding for expansion and building a VA Hospital/Medical Center in Cape Coral should be publicly established as a goal and a top priority NOW.

And, Because knowing that timing is important, hopefully we will be able to take advantage of the fact that in JAN 2026, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs announced the largest reorganization of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) since the 1990s, advising that the VA plans to restructure VHA’s administration, realign staff and resources and invest in medical facilities. Initial funding will focus on upgrading current facilities, but opening new facilities and investing in direct care capabilities for veterans who need unique care that only the VA can provide is also being planned. 

In a number of locations around the country, one can see the synergy in having a VA Hospital/Medical Center and a Local Hospital either co-located, or nearby each other, where by their proximity, they are able to expand available health care services to the communities they serve. 

An influx of VHA dollars could provide additional synergy, considering that existing healthcare system providers might benefit from providing some services under contract, since under the Community Care Program, the VA has already issued a call for contract proposals to provide medical services with agreements worth nearly $1 trillion over the next 10 years. This information appears in links 1 and 2 below.  

There is a significant and growing retired military population (myself included) in Cape Coral and SWFL, and I would expect all of the 56,000 veterans, just in Lee County, and military association members would actively provide their strong support for a new VA Hospital/Medical Center in Cape Coral. Personally, I am a resident of Cape Coral District 5, Lee County District 1, Florida State Senate District 33, Florida State House District 79, and US House of Representatives District 19.

I am submitting this request on behalf of myself; the many Veterans who reside in Southwest Florida, who I am sure would be very thankful and would benefit healthwise; and on behalf of all citizens of Lee County, and surrounding counties, all of whom would benefit healthwise and economically with a full service VA Hospital/Medical Center in Cape Coral.

Earl H. Morgan Jr. USAF Retired

Cape Coral