VA to Open New $44.5M Clinic in Round Rock, Texas — What This Means for Access

For veterans in Central Texas, relief may finally be on the horizon. The Department of Veterans Affairs has announced plans to build a $44.5 million outpatient clinic in Round Rock — a long-awaited expansion designed to improve access to primary and specialty care across one of the fastest-growing veteran populations in the country.

The project, scheduled to open in 2027, will serve as part of the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, which currently includes facilities in Austin, Temple, Waco, and smaller community-based clinics across the region.

(Read the full coverage from the Austin American-Statesman here.)

A Critical Need in Central Texas

Texas is home to nearly 1.5 million veterans, second only to Florida in total veteran population. The Austin metro area alone has seen a dramatic increase in post-9/11 and younger veterans — many juggling families, careers, and ongoing health challenges.

Existing VA clinics in the region have long struggled with appointment backlogs, staff shortages, and capacity limits. The new Round Rock facility will expand care options for roughly 24,000 veterans in Williamson County and surrounding areas.

“Round Rock is one of the fastest-growing veteran communities in Texas,” said a VA representative during the announcement. “This facility will allow us to deliver faster, more comprehensive care closer to where veterans actually live.”

What the New Clinic Will Offer

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Round Rock facility will feature:

• Primary and preventive care services
• Mental health counseling and therapy programs
• Women’s health services
• Specialty care including cardiology, orthopedics, and pain management
• On-site laboratory and imaging capabilities
• Telehealth access hubs connecting veterans with VA specialists statewide

These additions are expected to ease the strain on Austin’s North Clinic and Temple VA Medical Center — both of which have reported increased patient loads over the past three years.

What It Means for Local Veterans …

For many Central Texas veterans, the new clinic could mean less driving, faster appointments, and better follow-up care. Currently, some veterans in Williamson and Bell counties travel 60 to 90 minutes to reach specialty services or mental health appointments.

With the Round Rock clinic in place, veterans will have access to:

• Shorter wait times for mental health and specialty appointments
• Improved continuity of care between primary and specialty providers
• Reduced travel costs and scheduling barriers for elderly and disabled veterans
• New employment opportunities for veteran clinicians, nurses, and administrators

It’s a win not just for patients, but for the entire VA system trying to keep up with regional growth.

Why It Matters …

Expansion projects like this one often fly under the radar, but they’re essential to the VA’s long-term modernization strategy. Central Texas continues to grow rapidly, and if the VA doesn’t scale with it, access gaps widen — leaving rural and suburban veterans behind.

As construction moves forward, advocates are calling for community input on clinic design, staffing priorities, and local partnerships to ensure the new facility meets the real needs of today’s veterans, not just the metrics on paper.

Because in a region where more veterans are choosing to settle, build businesses, and raise families, access to timely, quality healthcare isn’t a luxury — it’s a promise.