A new hospital in Fort Leonard Wood will not be downgraded to a clinic, according to a Missouri senator.

U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley said he has gotten language added to a Senate appropriations bill to make sure the new hospital will be built as originally planned.

“The Senate passed a spending bill that includes my amendment to protect the hospital at Fort Leonard Wood,” Hawley said in a statement. “These are big wins for Missouri.”

Rumors swirled late last year that the $400 million facility set to open next year could only open as a clinic. Patients and employees set up a petition to try to bring attention to the matter.

Last week, Veterans Affairs started construction on a new VA health clinic in Rolla, about 30 miles from Fort Leonard Wood. Those plans include assumptions that t

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