Horsford Meets with Veterans in Pahrump, Raises Concerns About Access to Care in Rural Nevada

PAHRUMP, NV – Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04) today met with veterans and community leaders at Great Basin College in Pahrump to discuss health care access and services for veterans living in rural Nevada.

During the roundtable, veterans shared concerns about provider shortages, long wait times for appointments, and the need to travel long distances for specialty care.

“Our veterans who have sacrificed so much for this country should be able to access reliable and timely care. Instead, many are faced with driving hours away or waiting months just to receive the services they need,” said Rep. Horsford. “There is a shortage of Veteran Service Officers and limited access to diagnostic services and mental health providers. One thing is clear: veterans in rural communities like Pahrump and across Nye County need better access to care.”

During the discussion, veterans highlighted several challenges, including:

• Only two Veteran Service Officers serving roughly 17,000 veterans in Nye County
• Appointment delays of up to 60 days or more
• Limited specialty services at the Pahrump VA clinic, requiring travel to Las Vegas for MRIs and imaging
• Mental health appointments sometimes assigned to providers located out of state
• Additional travel burdens for services such as eyeglasses and specialty care

Horsford emphasized that improving access to care for rural veterans must remain a priority.

“Our veterans answered the call to serve our country. We have a responsibility to make sure the system works for them, no matter where they live,” Rep. Horsford said.

Following the meeting, Horsford said his office will work with the Department of Veterans Affairs to address the concerns raised by veterans in Nye County and identify solutions to improve access to care in rural communities.