SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
Veterans across North Alabama now have greater access to specialized medical care thanks to the opening of the Huntsville South VA Specialty Care Clinic.
The Birmingham VA Health Care System officially opened the new 7,000-square-foot facility Friday morning at UAB Medicine Huntsville, marking a major step in expanding healthcare services for one of Alabama’s fastest-growing veteran populations.
The clinic will provide cardiology, chemotherapy infusion, podiatry and neurology services, with the first patients scheduled to be seen this week. VA leaders say the expansion is designed to reduce travel time and shorten wait times for veterans who previously had to drive long distances for specialty care.
“This new Specialty Care Clinic in Huntsville is going to better serve our veterans by improving access to care and reducing wait times,” said U.S. Rep. Dale Strong. “Our veterans deserve direct-VA medical care and should not have to drive hours to get it.”
In addition to medical services, officials launched the Veterans Transportation Program (VTP), which offers free rides to veterans traveling to authorized VA appointments within a 50-mile radius of the Huntsville VA Clinic. The transportation service is especially important for veterans in rural communities or those facing mobility challenges. Since its Birmingham launch in December 2023, the program has provided more than 20,000 rides.
The clinic operates in partnership with UAB Medicine Huntsville and builds on previous agreements to expand services for veterans and active-duty military members.
VA officials say more projects are on the way, including new women’s health, mental health and dental clinics — part of a broader investment to ensure veterans receive high-quality care close to home.