CAPE TO GET ONE OF THREE CLINICS FOR VETERANS

Congress has given final approval for three new veterans' clinics in Missouri, including one in Cape Girardeau. The others would be in West Plains and St. Joseph.

U.S. Sen. Christopher "Kit" Bond and Rep. Jo Ann Emerson announced plans for the clinics Wednesday.

"These clinics will all be affiliated with veterans' hospitals and will occupy existing space, saving a lot of money on construction costs," Bond said.

The Cape Girardeau and West Plains clinics will be affiliated with the veterans hospital in Poplar Bluff. The St. Joseph clinic will be affiliated with the veterans hospital in Leavenworth, Kan.

The Cape Girardeau clinic will provide mental-health care to about 1,000 area veterans. The clinic will be housed in rent-free space in the Missouri Veterans' Home.

Emerson said the clinics will make health care more accessible to veterans.