The New Jersey Senate Republicans said on May 5 that Military Appreciation Month serves as a reminder that more than 100,000 veterans in South Jersey still face hours-long trips for care, and urged the Legislature to pass legislation sponsored by Sen. Latham Tiver to establish a VA inpatient hospital at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.
The caucus said the issue is significant because current options require many veterans in southern New Jersey to travel long distances for inpatient medical services. The proposed bill aims to address these challenges by creating a new facility within the region.
The New Jersey Senate Republicans posted the statement on X, linking to SR33 and including a video of Sen. Tiver discussing the subject. The resolution was pre-filed for the 2026 session.
Currently, the VA New Jersey Health Care System lists its two main medical centers in East Orange and Lyons. The system also lists outpatient clinics and Vet Centers serving South Jersey communities, including locations in Egg Harbor Township and Vineland, according to its website.
The Veterans Health Administration operates more than 1,300 health care facilities nationwide that serve over 9 million enrolled veterans each year. Inpatient hospital services form a core part of the system with major medical centers located across the country to support comprehensive care, according to information from the Veterans Health Administration.
The New Jersey Senate Republicans represent the caucus of the 15 GOP members in the state Senate. The group is led by Senate Republican Leader Anthony M. Bucco and operates through the Senate Republican Office in Trenton, according to the caucus.
