I plan on meeting with him and, if needed, President Biden to share what I heard from this listening session and our strong opposition.
I plan to meet with VA Secretary Denis McDonough and, if needed, President Biden to oppose closing the Northampton VA Medical Center in Leeds.
Occurrences
Evidence
McGovern’s office said he held a productive conversation with VA Secretary Denis McDonough on May 6, 2022, to express serious concern about the recommendation to close the Leeds VA medical center; the readout says he shared veteran testimony and argued the closure data were outdated and incomplete.
VA’s current facility page shows the Edward P. Boland VA Medical Center in Leeds is open and operating, with 24/7 facility hours and active services listed at 421 North Main Street, Leeds, MA.
Assessments
McGovern promised to meet with VA Secretary Denis McDonough, and if needed President Biden, to oppose closing the Northampton/Leeds VA Medical Center. The evidence shows he held a May 6, 2022 conversation with Secretary McDonough, raised direct opposition to the closure recommendation, shared veteran testimony, and challenged the VA's closure rationale. Because the core promised action was the meeting and opposition effort, this was fulfilled in the same federal term; the later evidence that the facility remained open reinforces that the closure had not occurred but is not necessary to credit the promised action. The Biden meeting was conditional and not shown to have become necessary.