New VA clinic to open in Newton

NEWTON — Newton will be the home of a new Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) outpatient health care clinic to serve veterans in the nearby area. Reps. Scott Garrett (R-NJ) and Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ) helped lead the charge for a new facility by demonstrating to VA officials how veterans in Sussex and Warren counties were underserved by a lack of a nearby facility. This clinic will improve the lives of local veterans by allowing them to receive the vital health care services they need closer to home.
“I’m very happy that veterans in Sussex and Warren counties will soon have a VA outpatient clinic nearby to serve their needs,” said Garrett. “For too long, our heroes in this part of the state had to travel long distances to receive the treatment they’ve earned—sometimes foregoing the process altogether—but that will change with the opening of this facility.”
The VA in New Jersey operates two medical centers, in East Orange and Lyons, and outpatient clinics in Brick, Cape May, Elizabeth, Hackensack, Hamilton, Jersey City, Marlton, Morristown, Northfield, Paterson, Piscataway, Sewell, Tinton Falls and Vineland. For many vets in Sussex and Warren counties the closest clinic is Morristown.
Garrett represents the state's 5th Congressional District, which covers 19 Sussex County municipalities, including Andover Township, Newton, Lafayette and part of Sparta. Frelinghuysen's 11th Congressional District covers 5 Sussex County municipalities, including part of Sparta, Byram and Stanhope. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are over 60,000 veterans in those two districts.
The site in Newton for the new clinic is not yet finalized, but Garrett’s office said the process is well underway, with equipment needs also being assessed, and staff recruitment beginning. The facility is expected to open in July or August of this year.