WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) praised Senate passage this week of a Department of Veterans Affairs medical facility bill that provides more than $135 million for improvements at the John A. Cochran VA Medical Center in St. Louis. The hospital has long been in need of modernized clinical services and a replacement for its aging bed tower. The legislation, previously passed the House, now advances to the President’s desk to become law.

"For far too long, St. Louis and Metro East Illinois veterans served by the John A. Cochran VA Hospital have been waiting for improved medical facilities," said Bost. "The VA has recognized for well over a decade that the hospital’s bed tower needs to be replaced and its clinical services need to be modernized. This project's funding has been a top priority of mine, and as chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I will continue working to see that the Biden administration gets this project over the finish line. Our veterans deserve it."

Bost was joined in September by U.S. Reps. Ann Wagner (MO-2), Sam Graves (MO-6), Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-3), and Jason Smith (MO-8) in sending a letter to VA Secretary Denis McDonough urging improvements at the St. Louis facility. The letter came in response to repeated delays in advancing the project despite longstanding recognition that upgrades were needed. 

You can view Bost’s September letter by clicking here.

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