After 20 Years, VA Clinic Opens in Plymouth

After 20 years of lobbying state and federal politicians to their cause, veterans in Plymouth, and across Southeastern Massachusetts, celebrated the opening of a VA Clinic in Plymouth.

"We are thrilled to have a CBOC (community-based outpatient clinic) right here in Plymouth," Plymouth Veterans' Agent Roxanne Whitbeck said. "It has been a long time coming!"

The clinic, located at 116 Long Pond Road, will provide medical access to local veterans who may find it difficult to get to Brockton or Boston, or even Providence for whatever reason.

"There will be a doctor, a nurse practitioner and medical assistants," Whitbeck said. "They also have a 'telemed' program that information can flow to other VA doctors at Brockton, Jamaica Plain and West Roxbury via live computer interaction.

"It can also alleviate the cost of skyrocketing medical plan premiums and the cost of prescription drugs if a veteran uses the facility.  It is a benefit that the veteran has earned and deserves.  And for our older veterans on a fixed income, that can be quite helpful," Whitbeck continued.

Senate President Terry Murray was on hand for opening ceremony Aug. 22.

"Twenty years to get a clinic here in the Plymouth area so our veterans don’t have to travel to Boston and Brockton—that they can come right here and get the services. And we have forty thousand veterans in Plymouth County that are in need of services and this is going to be a big help," Murray said at the ribbon-cutting.

"I toured the facility and met the staff," Whitbeck said. "The clinic is beautiful and will be a great addition to our community."

The clinic will be able to provide service for 600 veterans, it should open for service in September.