More VA outpatient clinics for Oklahoma?

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- A US Department of Veterans Affairs commission has endorsed proposals for five new outpatient clinics in Oklahoma.<br><br>The clinics would be located in Altus, Enid, Stillwater,

Sunday, March 28th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- A US Department of Veterans Affairs commission has endorsed proposals for five new outpatient clinics in Oklahoma.

The clinics would be located in Altus, Enid, Stillwater, Talihina and Vinita.

But the clinics would still require approval on several more levels before they could be built.

First, they would need to be approved by Veterans Affairs Secretary Anthony Principi. Then, they would have to be funded by the federal government.

Oklahoma City VA Medical Center director Steven Gentling says it's good news for the state's veterans even if the clinics aren't approved.

He says the commission's decision shows there is an understanding that more outpatient beds are needed as the state's veteran population ages.

38% of the state's veterans are age 65 or older.