RAPID CITY, S.D. – A top official with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs says care for veterans in western South Dakota is expanding, not shrinking.
Deputy VA Secretary Paul Lawrence visited the Black Hills on Wednesday, assuring veterans there are no plans to close local facilities or reduce services. Instead, he highlighted efforts to modernize care and connect more veterans with benefits they’ve earned.
A major focus of the visit was the rollout of the VA’s new Electronic Health Record system, scheduled to launch in the Black Hills in May 2027. The system will create a single digital medical record that follows veterans from military service through VA and community healthcare providers nationwide.
Lawrence also addressed concerns about wait times, particularly for mental health services, acknowledging provider shortages remain a challenge. He says the VA is working to recruit more professionals and expand veterans’ access to approved community care when VA appointments are delayed.
Lawrence says more than 200,000 veterans nationwide have reconnected with VA services this year and encouraged those with past concerns to give the department another chance.
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