Fong, Valadao Welcome VA Secretary Collins to Bakersfield for New Clinic Announcement

BAKERSFIELD, CA -Today, Congressman Vince Fong (CA-20) and Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) hosted Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Doug Collins in Bakersfield to announce the new, modernized Bakersfield VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic. This new clinic will replace the existing inadequate, decades-old clinic in Bakersfield which is unable to meet increased patient demand and support existing services.

"Today is a significant step forward for the veterans of Kern County and it has been a long time coming," said Congressman Fong. "After years of frivolous legal delays, the VA has accepted this new modernized clinic, with a target to welcome its first patients this December. Our veterans will finally be receiving care in a modern space worthy of their service, but we are not done. Today allows us to build and construct the permanent facility our veterans were promised, and I will not stop until that job is finished. Thank you to Secretary Doug Collins and the entire Trump Administration for making this a priority and delivering for the veterans of the Central Valley."

"For too long, Bakersfield Veterans had to make do with a clinic that suffered from HVAC and plumbing problems, and didn't have enough space to meet Veterans' growing needs," said VA Secretary Doug Collins. "Under President Trump's leadership, and thanks to the advocacy of Reps. Valadao and Fong, Veterans will get the modern facility they deserve. The new clinic also enables VA to exit a horrible lease agreement that was costing us millions of additional dollars per year for a sub-standard facility - that means we can direct more resources to Veteran care." ​​

"Our veterans have sacrificed so much to protect our nation and preserve our freedoms, and when they come home, they deserve access to high-quality VA healthcare in their communities," said Congressman Valadao. "For over thirty years, the existing Bakersfield clinic has served thousands of veterans across our region, but that facility is aging, patient demand has only grown, and it doesn't have the space or resources needed to meet our veterans' needs. The new, modernized Bakersfield VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic will better meet demand and expand access to essential services, including primary care, mental health, dental, rehabilitation, and other specialty services. This is an important investment in the health and well-being of our Central Valley veterans, and I want to thank Secretary Collins, the administration, and Congressman Fong for their continued partnership in making this project a reality. I look forward to seeing our Valley veterans benefit from this new facility soon!"

Background:

The new, modernized Bakersfield VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic will replace the existing decades-old facility, which has struggled to keep pace with growing patient demand and provide the space needed to expand services.

In 2009, 17 years ago, Congress authorized this project to provide much-needed improved healthcare services to local veterans. However, repeated legal challenges stalled construction, leaving veterans without access to modernized care for over a decade. Thanks to the advocacy and leadership of Congressman Fong, Congressman Valadao, Secretary Collins and President Trump, the project is moving forward following a July 2025 court ruling in favor of the City of Bakersfield.

The approximately 30,000-square-foot facility will offer a full slate of expanded care options, including primary care, audiology and speech pathology, mental health, homeless services, dental, eye care, enrollment and eligibility, laboratory services, nutrition and food services, physical medicine and rehabilitation, telehealth, and women's health. Veterans will continue receiving care from their existing providers, with the new facility providing additional space to meet their needs. The new clinic will also allow the VA to redirect funding previously spent on the outdated facility's rent toward serving veterans.