(WASHINGTON, DC) –Congressman Scott DesJarlais (R-TN-04) authored a letter to the U.S. Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins expressing concern over yesterday’s announcement that the McMinnville, TN VA Clinic will be closing. 

Rep. DesJarlais, a physician who formerly worked in a VA hospital, wrote to Collins, noting that over 46,000 veterans live in his district and many will be forced to drive over an hour to receive healthcare services with the closing of the McMinnville clinic. 

DesJarlais wrote to Collins that he and his staff were not consulted about the impending closure of the rural outpatient VA healthcare facility. 

“My office received no notice prior to the public disclosure that this facility was facing staffing shortages or that these shortages would lead to the shuttering of this important VA Outpatient Clinic in my district. Leaders at the VA Clinic in McMinnville did not consult with or inform my staff or myself about the issues facing this Clinic, and the answers they gave as to why this was happening and the information they have provided to the community have been woefully inadequate. Had we been given prior notice and involved in these discussions, our office could have assisted in finding appropriate solutions and resources for those who rely on the VA and the care provided to them by the McMinnville VA clinic,” DesJarlais said in his letter. 

The Tennessee congressman posed the following questions to Collins and requested a response by Wednesday, March 11, 2026: 

• When did discussions surrounding the closure of the McMinnville VA Outpatient first begin? 
• Were any local, state, or federally elected leaders involved in the discussion surrounding the closure of the McMinnville VA clinic? If no, why not? 
• What is the official closure date of the clinic? 
• What is the plan to provide healthcare to those who utilize the clinic without requiring them to drive long distances to receive services from the VA? 

DesJarlais ended his letter to Secretary Collins stating that he wants to work together to come up with an adequate solution that will not impact the quality of care the veterans in his district receive. 

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Congressman DesJarlais’ full letter to Secretary Collins can be found here.