With two U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs contracts awarded to expand clinical space and advance access to healthcare for Phoenix area veterans, Rep. Ruben Gallego praised the government’s efforts last week in Washington, D.C.

The first agreement provides for clinical space in the Camelback Medical Plaza located at 5040 North 15th Avenue in Phoenix which is expected to offer primary care, mental health care and other services to over 15,000 veterans in the metropolitan area.

A second contract will provide funding for development of the Southwest Community Based Outpatient Clinic at Estrella Health Center, which will give care to more than 8,000 veterans, at 9305 W. Thomas Road, also in Phoenix.

“The men and women who serve our country deserve the best access to medical services and mental health care,” Gallego said in a statement. “These two new contracts will help thousands of veterans to receive the care they need. I welcome the Department of Veterans Affairs efforts to improve the lives of Phoenix’s veterans and our families. This is a step in the right direction, and I am committed to working with the VA to do even more so that we honor the service and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans.”