EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — As the new El Paso VA Medical Center moves closer to opening, U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar is pushing legislation aimed at ensuring the Department of Veterans Affairs is fully prepared to deliver care to veterans from the first day the facility begins operations.
Escobar, D-Texas, and U.S. Rep. Morgan Luttrell, R-Texas, introduced the El Paso VA Medical Center Activation Readiness Act of 2026 in Washington, D.C.
The bipartisan bill is designed to strengthen congressional oversight of the VA’s activation planning for the new medical center and require detailed updates on readiness efforts.
The new VA medical center in El Paso, for which I was proud to have secured $700 million in funding, represents a critical investment in the health and well-being of our veterans,” Escobar said. “But constructing the facility is only part of the work. We must ensure it is fully equipped and ready to serve veterans on day one. My legislation will require the VA to provide clear, detailed updates on its planning and coordination efforts so we can hold the Department accountable and ensure our veterans receive the care they have earned without delay.
The legislation would require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide a comprehensive briefing to Congress on the department’s activation planning for the El Paso facility, including workforce readiness, patient demand and coordination with regional partners.
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Under the bill, the VA would be required to report on staffing requirements and recruitment plans for clinical and support personnel; workforce stability and hiring capacity, including potential staffing challenges; timelines for procurement and installation of medical equipment; specialty care services that will be available; projected demand for care across the region; and plans to transfer or transition care from other facilities or providers.
The bill also calls for reporting on coordination with Department of Defense medical facilities, including William Beaumont Army Medical Center, to ensure continuity of care, as well as access and travel considerations for veterans, including coordination with transportation providers and local governments.
The proposal builds on Escobar’s efforts to secure $700 million for the new VA medical center.
It also follows additional oversight work tied to the Fiscal Year 2027 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies appropriations bill, which includes a requirement for the VA to provide Congress with a detailed, timely briefing on readiness to open the facility and serve veterans.
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