Legislative hearing on vets' health programs in Brainerd is Tuesday

Former state Rep. Don Samuelson, DFL-Brainerd, said a legislative hearing about plans for a veterans health care program at the Brainerd Regional Human Services Center will be at 3 p.m. Tuesday at the state Capitol.

The planned health care programs could include nursing home, traumatic brain injury and chemical dependency programs, he said. The longtime state legislator said community support for this use of the former state hospital is overwhelming and must continue in order to make the plans possible.

A bus for people who would like to attend the hearing is being provided by Reichert Bus Services and Samuelson said the commander of the 194th Tank Regiment has volunteered to drive. The bus will leave the Brainerd Armory at 11 a.m. Tuesday and will return when the hearing concludes.

People who would like to ride on the bus may call the American Legion at 829-2249, the VFW at 829-6393 or (218) 831-2212.

In February about 200 people attended a public meeting in Brainerd with U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar, D-Minn., where it was said the main component of the plan would be a 96-bed veterans nursing home. Remodeling costs for the project were estimated at about $3.5 million.

Samuelson said at that meeting that the site could create 500 to 600 jobs at the campus.