Rep. King-Hinds Introduces H.R. 9652 to Authorize First Permanent VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic in the CNMI

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds (R-MP) today introduced H.R. 9652, the Northern Marianas VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic Authorization Act of 2026, legislation that would authorize the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish the first permanent VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI).

The bill authorizes up to $3.696 million in Fiscal Year 2027 for the construction, lease, build-to-lease, renovation, alteration, repair, or retrofit of a VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic in Saipan. The legislation also provides the Department of Veterans Affairs with flexibility to account for the CNMI's unique geographic, logistical, and construction challenges while ensuring veterans receive safe, accessible, and high-quality outpatient care.

"Our veterans answered the call to serve our nation, and they deserve timely access to quality health care close to home," said Congresswoman King-Hinds. "For far too long, veterans in the Northern Marianas have faced significant barriers to receiving even routine VA medical services, often requiring costly and time-consuming travel thousands of miles away. This legislation is about honoring their service by bringing essential health care directly to our community."

The legislation recognizes the unique circumstances facing the CNMI by directing the Department of Veterans Affairs to consider the absence of a permanent VA medical facility in the Commonwealth, the vast distance to existing VA facilities, the need to import construction materials by sea, limited contractor availability and housing, and the burden placed on veterans who must travel off-island for medical care.

To help make the project feasible, the bill authorizes the VA to apply alternative building, design, resiliency, space, and construction standards that are appropriate for the CNMI's tropical environment. These flexibilities will help reduce costs, address supply chain and workforce limitations, and expedite project delivery while maintaining safe, functional, and accessible facilities for veterans.

"The Northern Mariana Islands has one of the highest rates of military service per capita in the United States," King-Hinds added. "Generation after generation, our sons and daughters have answered our nation's call to serve. They have earned the same access to quality health care as veterans anywhere else in America. No veteran should have to leave their home, family, and community simply to receive routine medical care."

"This bill is an important first step toward ensuring our veterans receive the care they have earned without leaving home," King-Hinds said. "I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to advance this legislation through Congress and bring a permanent VA CBOC to the Northern Mariana Islands."