By Nancy Mace
When our nation calls, the men and women of the Lowcountry answer.
They’ve served in combat zones, stood guard in dangerous places, and put their lives on the line to defend our freedoms. These are our neighbors, our friends, and our family members. Nearly 17,000 veterans call Beaufort County home. They didn’t hesitate when it was time to serve our country. Now, it’s our turn to serve them.
For too long, many of our heroes have had to drive long distances just to attend a routine doctor’s appointment. Others have found themselves caught in a confusing web of red tape and delays just trying to access the basic care they earned in uniform. This is unacceptable.
This will all change.
As a member of the House Committee on Veterans’Affairs, we approved the authorization of $30.4 million to build a state-of-the-art Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in Beaufort County. This is more than a building, it’s a long-overdue investment in our veterans and our community.
The new CBOC will offer primary care, mental health services, and other essential VA programs, all in one place, and right here at home. This means shorter wait times, less travel, and faster access to care for the people who need it most. Our veterans shouldn’t have to fight a second battle just to see a doctor. This clinic will bring the care to them.
This fight has always been about more than bricks and mortar. It’s about keeping a promise. The government made a commitment to our veterans, one which includes timely, high-quality healthcare. When someone wears the uniform of the United States, they should never have to wonder whether help is within reach when they come home.
This clinic is also projected to bring 100 healthcare jobs to Beaufort County, with doctors, nurses, and staff committed to delivering the care veterans have sacrificed for.
The Beaufort County CBOC is part of a broader effort to modernize and decentralize the VA healthcare system. But here in the Lowcountry, it’s more than a policy win, it’s personal. It’s about showing our veterans we see them, we hear them, and we recognize their service with more than words.
They earned this care. They deserve this care. And now, they’re going to get it, right here in Beaufort County.
Nancy Mace, a Republican, is the Representative for South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District and is running for the Republican nomination for S.C. Governor.
