  The American Veteran's On-Line News Magazine Click here to make VA Watchdog dot Org your homepage VA NEWS FLASH from Larry Scott at VA Watchdog dot Org -- 10-31-2008 |
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The American Veteran's On-Line News Magazine Click here to make VA Watchdog dot Org your homepage VA NEWS FLASH from Larry Scott at VA Watchdog dot Org -- 10-31-2008 |
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CALLS FOR "NEW APPROACH" TO CARE -- The "New Approach" calls for less VA construction, leasing facilities and care contracts with affiliate or community hospitals.
Story below:
------------------------- Yesterday we reported that Sen. Daniel Akaka
(D-HI), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, wants
answers from the VA about an internal document that appears to show that
the VA will be outsourcing services at 22 facilities. Story here...
It should be noted that this information just came to the attention of Sen. Akaka's office. One would think that if the VA were making such sweeping changes that they would at least inform the Chairman. VA Watchdog dot Org has obtained a copy of the internal VA document. It appears to be a PowerPoint presentation given in March of 2008. Complete document available for viewing or download here... The document refers to an initiative called "New Approach to Inpatient & Outpatient Facilities at Select Sites." At the core of this initiative is the argument that the VA doesn't have the funding to build and staff, so they will lease buildings and outsource care. Does this make sense? They don't have the funds so they are proposing to spend more!? When you read the document note mention of care contracts with "affiliate" or "community hospital." And, take a good look at the diagram of the "New" Network of VA Facilities. This is just another step in privatizing the VA. For more about privatizing the VA, use the VA
Watchdog search engine... click here... Senator Akaka has asked VA Sec. Peake for answers, including the location of the 22 facilities that would fall under this new plan. Akaka expresses his concerns below. We will have more information as it becomes available. --------------- Akaka press release
here... Press release below:
AKAKA AND ROCKEFELLER ASK FOR ANSWERS ON PLAN TO CHANGE VETERANS’ HEALTH CARESenators inquire after receiving document on plan to shift to leasing and fee-basis care
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Daniel K. Akaka
(D-HI) and John D. Rockefeller (D-WV) wrote Veterans Affairs Secretary
James Peake earlier this week, after the Senators received a document
outlining plans for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to shift
away from renovating or constructing health care facilities in favor of
leasing
 facilities
or purchasing care from outside providers. Akaka and Rockefeller,
the Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman and former-Chairman,
respectively, inquired about the implications that such a plan would
have on the VA health care system.
"Any major shift in VA health care policy, especially one being proposed so close to the end of the current administration, requires open review by Congress and the public. I look forward to a full and thorough explanation before any such plan is implemented," said Akaka. "Access to quality VA facilities throughout our rural state is enormously important to veterans and their families. If it is true that the VA is considering closing particular facilities across the country as a cost-saving measure, I have very serious concerns and I would like a response to our letter as soon as possible. I will always fight for quality healthcare for West Virginia - answers are owed to the veterans who have served this country with honor," said Rockefeller. Akaka and Rockefeller's full letter is copied below:
Dear Secretary Peake, We recently obtained a document which appears to outline a new program that would utilize an expanded leasing program in lieu of major construction for the delivery of VA health care. As we understand the proposed program, VA would place greater emphasis on leasing space or providing fee-basis care, instead of renovating or constructing new facilities. As the Chairman and former Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, we are interested in learning more about this proposal, including its current status. To that end, we ask that you address the following questions:
• Please describe any other alternative approaches that the Department is considering that would alter the current method of providing health care, or that would alter the structure or composition of the VA health care system. Given the time sensitivity of this proposal, we ask for your response within two weeks. We look forward to working with you to further the interests of our veterans. Sincerely,
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