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VA MOVES CLOSER TO MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS AT WEST
L.A. FACILITY -- Announcement comes as a VA
contractor
completed its study under the CARES review
process.
For more on issues surrounding the use of
property at the West L.A. VA, use the VA Watchdog search
engine...click here...
http://www.yourvabenefits.org/ses
search.php?q=west+l.a.&op=ph
The VA's CARES Commission page on West L.A. is
here...
http://www.va.gov/cares/location
Site/Site17.asp?VASite=17
VA press release here...
http://www.vawatchdog
.org/07/vap07/vap082107-3.htm
Press release below:
-------------------------
VA Moves Closer to Major Improvements in Los
Angeles
August 21, 2007
New Facilities for Health Care and Homeless, Plus Columbarium Studied
LOS ANGELES -- Modern facilities for the future health care needs of Los
Angeles veterans, new services for local homeless veterans, a
columbarium and a regional office for the Department of Veterans Affairs
(VA) are all closer to becoming reality.
“These new facilities and programs show VA’s commitment to provide
world-class care for veterans and other benefits for Los Angeles area
veterans,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson.
Nicholson’s announcement came as a VA contractor completed its study of
the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center under the Capital Asset
Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES) review process, which began in
2004 to upgrade VA health care facilities across the country.
The study’s conclusions will be presented to the public and to a Local
Advisory Panel appointed by VA to help the Department with its capital
master plan. That meeting is scheduled for September 6 from 5:00 p.m. to
9:00 p.m. at the Wadsworth Theater on the campus of the West Los Angeles
VA Medical Center at 11301 Wilshire Boulevard.
Nicholson also announced his decision to designate buildings 205, 208
and 209 available for homeless veterans programs.
“Our goal is to help these veterans return to their communities as solid
citizens, gainfully employed, living independently with restored
dignity,” Nicholson said.
Plans to build a VA columbarium and relocate the VA regional office to
the site are also included in all the options. The new columbarium will
provide critically needed space for the cremated remains of veterans.
Relocating the regional office, which handles claims for disability pay
and other VA benefits, from the Los Angeles Federal Building
to the medical center campus will provide more convenient services for
veterans who need to coordinate medical care with benefits claims
processing.
Agreement has been reached with the Veterans Park Conservancy to
designate 16 acres of land for use on the West Los Angeles campus. All
improvements and any changes will first be approved by VA. The
designation will be considered as part of any final CARES decision.
At the Local Advisory Panel meeting, the consultant who prepared the
study for VA will present a detailed analysis of the modernization
options for VA to consider as the Department prepares to meet the future
needs of southern California veterans. These options include:
* Constructing a new VA hospital;
* Renovating the existing hospital;
* Building a new VA nursing home;
* Modernizing the hospital’s inpatient and outpatient mental health
facilities.
The meeting is the third public forum the Local Advisory Panel has held
since the beginning of the CARES process. Time will be set aside for
questions, and for community members to provide VA with their input on
the proposed modernization plans.
All options will take into account land already set aside for a new
California state nursing home for veterans.
“It is important we receive the thoughts of the Los Angeles community
before proceeding with a final plan,” said Nicholson. The
recommendations of the Local Advisory Panel and community feedback will
be submitted to VA with the final report.
-------------------------
Larry Scott --
