For veterans in Fairfield County, the Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) on Summer Street in Stamford has long served as a vital hub for accessible, local healthcare. Part of the VA Connecticut Healthcare System, the Stamford clinic provides essential services including primary care, mental health support, laboratory testing, and medication management.

Recently, news of a potential closure of the Stamford CBOC has sparked concern among veterans and advocates. A growing petition is circulating to keep the clinic open. Meanwhile, others within the VA system support the closure, citing broader infrastructure strategies.

Why the Clinic Matters to Local Veterans

For many veterans—especially seniors, those with chronic health conditions, or individuals relying on public transportation—the Stamford clinic offers vital access to consistent care close to home. Veterans in their 70s, 80s, and even 90s often cannot easily travel to West Haven or the Bronx for routine appointments. The Stamford CBOC allows them to receive preventative care, manage long-term health needs, and avoid unnecessary emergency room visits.

Local advocates emphasize that community-based care improves outcomes by reducing missed appointments and helping veterans maintain continuity with trusted providers.

📋 A petition to preserve the clinic is now available: Sign here

Viewpoints Supporting the Clinic’s Closure

The Department of Veterans Affairs and others who support the clinic’s closure offer several key arguments:

Efficiency and Resource Optimization: VA leadership continues to assess how to most effectively distribute resources across the region. Centralizing services in larger, better-equipped facilities such as West Haven or the Bronx may allow for expanded specialty care, more comprehensive staffing, and reduced duplication of services.

Modernization Efforts: Some within the VA system argue that the Stamford CBOC, while valuable, may no longer meet modern infrastructure needs. Updating or relocating services into consolidated facilities could align with long-term modernization goals.

Utilization Rates: Data from the VA has suggested that some CBOCs, including Stamford, may have lower patient volumes compared to other locations. From a system-wide planning perspective, consolidating underutilized facilities may be viewed as a way to ensure sustainable delivery of high-quality care across the state.

Expanding Virtual Care: The VA has significantly increased its telehealth capabilities in recent years. For veterans who can access care remotely, this expansion is presented as a way to reach more individuals—even without a local clinic.

Veterans Call for Local Access to Remain

In response, local veterans stress that closing the Stamford clinic would disproportionately affect older veterans and those unable to travel long distances. While telehealth can be helpful, many veterans still require in-person exams, lab work, or mental health services that cannot be conducted virtually.

Veterans also highlight the trust built with staff at the Stamford CBOC—care relationships that would be disrupted by a forced transfer to other VA facilities.

A Balanced Approach?

Many community members recognize that the VA must continuously adapt its care model to meet changing needs and improve service delivery. However, they urge decision-makers to weigh these strategic goals against the real-world challenges faced by Fairfield County veterans.

Rather than a full closure, some suggest alternative solutions:

Reevaluate and restructure the clinic to improve efficiency.

Share space with other community healthcare organizations.

Explore partnerships with local hospitals or medical schools.

Retain a smaller footprint with rotating services rather than complete withdrawal.

What Comes Next?

The future of the Stamford VA clinic remains uncertain. As decisions are weighed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, both sides of the issue are voicing their concerns respectfully and clearly.

What’s certain is this: veterans deserve healthcare that is not only high-quality but also accessible, consistent, and responsive to their unique needs.

How You Can Support Veterans’ Care

📋 Sign the petition if you support keeping the clinic open.

🗣 Contact local, state, and federal officials to share your perspective.

🔍 Stay informed about the latest updates from the VA and veteran advocacy groups.

The Connecticut Veterans Bulletin will continue following this story closely, committed to ensuring that any decision made will place the needs of Connecticut veterans first.