Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara is calling on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to reverse its planned closure of the Schenectady Community-Based Outpatient Clinic, launching an online petition to give local residents a direct voice in the fight to protect access to care for veterans.

The clinic is currently expected to close on August 28^th, raising serious concerns among veterans and families across the Capital Region.

“This decision makes no sense,” Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara said. “We should be making it easier for veterans to get care – not harder. Closing this clinic means longer drives, missed appointments, and real barriers for people who served our country.”

The petition, available on Assemblyman Santabarbara’s website, urges the VA to reconsider the closure and work with local leaders to find solutions that keep care accessible in Schenectady.

Sign the petition here: https://nyassembly.gov/mem/Angelo-Santabarbara/story/117446

Santabarbara has already formally contacted VA leadership and members of Congress, urging them to intervene and explore alternatives that maintain our local access to care. The petition is the next step in building public support and showing how strongly the community opposes the closure.

“For many veterans – especially seniors and those without reliable transportation – this clinic is a lifeline,” Santabarbara said. “Taking it away puts people at risk. That’s not acceptable.”

Assemblyman Santabarbara is encouraging veterans, families, and community members to sign and share the petition to help protect this critical service.