More than 2,000 military veterans in Middle Tennessee will have to transition to a new care facility after a recent announcement that their current facility is closing. The McMinnville VA Clinic, about 75 miles southeast of Nashville, is winding down operations and will close May 31.
“We understand the decision to transition services at this facility reflects broader efforts to address staffing challenges and improve the delivery of care,” read a joint statement sent to Military.com from Tennessee U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn, Bill Hagerty, and Congressman Scott DesJarlais. “We want to ensure this transition is executed in a way that maintains continuity of care for the veterans who rely on this clinic."
Veterans will have the option to transition their care to the other regional clinics in Tullahoma and Cookeville, with a travel distance of 36 miles or 45 miles, respectively.
Republican Congressman DesJarlais, who is a veteran himself, says the distance is a concern, along with the limited notice. He sent a separate letter to U.S. Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins expressing concern over the clinic's closing.
"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,” Rep. DesJarlais said in his letter, which has been reviewed by Military.com. “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."
Additionally, the joint letter from DesJarlais, Blackburn and Hagerty is addressed to the U.S. Under Secretary for Health John Bartrum, who oversees the Department of Veterans Affairs. Their letter asks Bartrum a series of questions, including “how many veterans are currently assigned to the McMinnville clinic,” and “what is the VA’s plan to ensure each veteran has a confirmed follow-on appointment with either VA or a community provider prior to any disruption in services?”
“As VA transitions veterans to nearby VA facilities or community providers, it will be important to ensure that veterans do not experience gaps in care, delays in appointments, or unnecessary travel burdens,” the joint letter reads.
Questions for the Department of Veterans Affairs
For its part, the VA held a local town hall in March to hear from concerned veterans and their families. The VA also has a detailed FAQ or Frequently Asked Questions section on its website to provide some answers on the McMinnville VA Clinic transition, starting with why the clinic is closing.
“The McMinnville VA Clinic, which is operated by a third-party contracted staffing company, has faced significant staffing challenges for the last several years due to a lack of providers in the area,” reads the website, which has been reviewed by Military.com. “Despite repeated efforts to drive improvements, the contracted company was unable to consistently staff the facility, resulting in Veterans frequently seeing new providers.”
The website claims that, on average, each patient experienced changes in their assigned provider approximately 20 times over the five years the facility has been open.
“Based on collected Veteran feedback over five years, 79% of patients reported they trusted the McMinnville VA Clinic for their care, which is below VA's national average,” the website reads. “Additionally, Veterans reported an average trust score of 92.5% in fiscal year 2025 at locations operated by VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System.”
McMinnville Clinic Operating Without Full-Time Staff
The McMinnville site has operated as an outpatient clinic for roughly 16 years, according to DesJarlais, providing primary care, mental health care, telehealth and laboratory services. The clinic operates through local contractors rather than full-time VA employees.
“While we were disappointed to learn of the clinic’s closure, we were pleased that our staff was able to attend the town hall in McMinnville and hear directly from local veterans about their concerns,” read the joint letter from area lawmakers. “Clear communication and a well-defined transition plan will be critical to ensuring veterans understand their options and remain confident in their access to care.”
It’s unclear whether the letters from lawmakers will do anything to prevent the clinic from closing on May 31. But DesJarlais says his office continues to receive calls and messages from veterans and their families worried about future care.
“The rollout of this announcement has left those who utilize this clinic with more questions than answers. Many constituents in my district have reached out to express their concerns about this closure, not knowing how to prepare for this event, and worried that they will be left without vital health care services.”
