Retired Air Force Staff Sgt. Shalum Scott is only 31, but for years his life has revolved around appointments at Veterans Affairs hospitals and clinics several times a week. He's had two hip-replacement surgeries after complications from diabetes and osteoarthritis.
But he no longer has to wait for hours in crowded waiting rooms. He now gets all of his treatment at the recently expanded VA clinic in Fort Worth. The 239,000-square-foot facility is the nation's largest outpatient clinic for veterans.
The new center is expected to serve nearly 22,000 veterans next year -- about 1,600 more than were treated at the Fort Worth VA clinic this year before its expansion.
VA officials say the larger clinic will cut down on patient waiting times and provide more services.
