MOUNTAIN HOME, TN -- James H. Quillen VA Medical Center was identified for growth as part of recommendations for nationwide VA facility investment that will shape the future of Veterans Health Administration health care.

The Asset and Infrastructure Review (AIR) report is the result of years of research and analysis conducted by VA to assess its current infrastructure and determine how to invest resources to maintain and improve Veteran health care. The recommendations in the report include actions to improve access and quality of care by updating VA health care infrastructure and building strategic partnerships with organizations in the public and private sectors.

At JHQVAMC, the report recommends modernizing the Community Living Center (CLC) and Residential Rehabilitation and Treatment Program. The modernization of these programs will address deficiencies related to shared patient rooms and bathrooms and provide more patient support space to be better aligned with modern VA design guidelines.

The recommendations also include a new standalone CLC in Knoxville, Tenn., to address growing demand in the Knox County and the surrounding area and to facilitate and create a balance for access across the JHQVAMC service area. Additionally, establishing a new Health Care Center in Knoxville, Tenn., and additional clinics throughout the region were proposed in the report. The Knoxville HCC would allow for upgrades and expansions to improve access to primary care, outpatient mental health, specialty care, and outpatient surgical services.

In accordance with the VA MISSION Act of 2018, VA produced the AIR report by conducting nationwide VA market assessments that detail the current state of VA’s health care infrastructure and forecast future needs. The goal is for each of VA’s markets to design high-performing networks of care that can provide quality, readily accessible, cost-effective care through VHA and leverage the best of care provided by federal partners, academic affiliates and other private sector providers.

As required by the MISSION Act, Secretary McDonough submitted the AIR report to a presidentially appointed AIR Commission for their consideration. The AIR Commission will conduct public hearings as part of their review of VA’s recommendations before submitting its own recommendations to the president for further review in 2023.

For more information about the AIR report and recommendations for JHQVAMC contact Josh Higgins, JHQVAMC public affairs officer, at Joshua.higgins@va.gov or at 423-926-1171 ext. 7126.