August 4, 2003, Headline: "VA Plans Major Health Care Changes," "Restructuring of Facilities to Cost $4.6 Billion Over 20 Years"
Washington, DC (AP) - The Department of Veterans Affairs announced a plan yesterday to close seven VA hospitals, open others and retarget services in a major restructuring of its health care system.
The plan includes major mission changes at 13 facilities, Veterans Affairs spokeswoman Karen Fedele said.
The VA wants to close hospitals in Canandaigua, N.Y.; Pittsburgh (Highland Drive); Lexington, Ky. (Leestown); Brecksville, Ohio; Gulfport, Miss.; Livermore, Calif.; and Waco, Tex.
The VA also would open new hospitals in Las Vegas and Orlando; add centers for the blind in Biloxi, Miss., and Long Beach, Calif.; and place new spinal cord injury centers in Denver, Minneapolis, Syracuse or Albany, N.Y., and Little Rock.
The proposals are part of a VA restructuring begun in June 2002, to shift the agency's focus to outpatient care, place services where they are needed most, and save money by eliminating underused and outdated services and facilities.
"This is probably the most comprehensive assessment of VA infrastructure since World War II," said VA Secretary Anthony J. Principi.
And you're against vets AND restructuring?