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MORE ABOUT PROTESTS TO SAVE WALLA WALLA VA
FACILITY --
"We do need help, and we do not, under any
circumstance,
intend to quit or give up."
Crossing a slushy mixture of snow and
water,
Vietnam veteran Buddy Georgia (seated)
receives a hug from fellow veteran Ron Fry
as Georgia arrives at the rally.
(U-B photo by Matthew B. Zimmerman.)
We have two stories.
First story here...
http://www.union-bulletin.com/
articles/2006/12/28/local_news/local02.txt
Story below:
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Supporters vow to fight for local VA
They believe the VA is ignoring data that
supports the need for round-the-clock mental-health care in Walla Walla.
By VICKI HILLHOUSE
More than 50 people rallied in the rain Wednesday at Land Title Plaza in
a demonstration of support for Walla Walla's veterans hospital.
Taking refuge from the wet conditions under the building's breezeway at
First Avenue and Main Street, gatherers said they will continue the
fight to ensure veterans have access to a full slate of services,
despite proposed changes by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
``We do need help, and we do not, under any circumstance, intend to quit
or give up,'' said AMVETS representative Don Schack.
Schack and other veterans believe the VA's plan to convert its Walla
Walla hospital into a large-scale outpatient clinic will mean a
reduction in services for area vets. They believe the VA is ignoring
data that supports the need for round-the-clock mental-health care in
Walla Walla.
``We do not have appropriate care in this community,'' said Sharon
Saffer, executive director of Walla Walla County's Department of Human
Services, the local provider for public mental-health services. Saffer
said the county has seen a significant spike in clients since the VA
closed its after-hours clinic in May.
Bill Hainsey, president of the American Federation of Government
Employees local in Vancouver, Wash., said veterans and advocates for the
Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial Veterans Affairs Medical Center must act
as watchdogs over the VA.
``I'm not opposed to change, if it's done the right way,'' Hainsey said.
But based on a recent meeting with officials from the regional Veterans
Integrated Service Network, which includes Walla Walla, he believes
Walla Walla is being steamrolled by the VA.
At the Vancouver meeting two weeks ago between high-level VISN
executives and regional union representatives, Hainsey said he was told
the VA's conversations with Walla Walla delegates are over.
``Their message is, `We have talked enough with folks from Walla
Walla,''' Hainsey said.
VA officials maintained their goal is not to eliminate services, but to
find ways to deliver them more efficiently. That will mean changes that
may make some people uncomfortable, said Dennis Lewis, the regional VISN
director.
``To me, Walla Walla is the future of health care,'' Lewis said. ``We're
never going to do away with hospitals, but where it makes sense to move
to more outpatient care models, we will do that.''
Lewis confirmed that the five acute-medicine beds closed this year as
part of a temporary change are not likely to be brought back.
But Lewis said local hospitals can easily absorb the five patients
average daily. ``Quite honestly, they're happy to take our patients.''
He said efforts to recruit a medical doctor - the departure of a former
doctor led to the closure of the beds - has been unsuccessful. Where
some might argue the hospital's uncertain future would detract potential
applicants, Lewis said that didn't seem to be a factor when the VA was
recruiting for a psychiatrist.
Lewis also said the VA is moving toward a regional inpatient model of
mental-health care. Several locations, including Spokane, have been
identified as possible hubs. Veterans needing inpatient mental-health
care would likely need to travel to the hubs.
Lewis maintained that residential rehabilitation would still be
available locally, as well as outpatient mental-health services.
Changes at the Wainwright facility are part of a nationwide overhaul of
the VA's health-care system. Walla Walla's VA hospital, located at the
1858 site of the original Fort Walla Walla, serves about a
42,000-square-mile, 14-county area.
Lewis said the VISN is seeking funds from Congress to build the new
outpatient clinic. He expects the clinic to be complete by 2011 at the
latest.
Meanwhile, veterans, VA employees and advocates for the hospital are
spurred by an ominous feeling that the VA is not listening to their
concerns. That suspicion was evident from the applause generated at
Wednesday's rally, where Schack also read letters of support from U.S.
Sens. Patty Murray, D-Wash., and Gordon Smith, R-Ore.
Union representatives plan to meet in Washington, D.C., with
congressional delegates early next year.
---------------
Second story here...
http://www.kuow.org/defaultProgram.asp?ID=11989
Story below:
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Debate over Healthcare for Veterans Brews in
Walla Walla
Cathy Duchamp
Does size matter? That's a question in the debate over health care
offered to military veterans in the Inland Northwest. The V.A. medical
center in Walla Walla is being downsized from a hospital to an
outpatient clinic. A group of activist vets say that translates to cuts
in services. Correspondent Cathy Duchamp has more.
AIR FORCE VETERAN DON SCHACK SERVED IN KOREA AND VIETNAM. AFTERWARDS HE
MOVED WITH HIS FAMILY TO WALLA WALLA. HE PICKED THE CITY IN PART BECAUSE
OF THE V.A. MEDICAL CENTER THERE. NOW HE WORRIES THE CARE THE GOVERNMENT
PROMISED WILL NO LONGER BE AVAILABLE.
SCHACK: "We don't see that happening. We don't see it happening in the
future. Hey, you're not even going to be able to help me."
SCHACK AND A GROUP OF VETERANS KNOWN AS THE BLUE MOUNTAIN BOYS SAY
PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN ELIMINATED EVEN BEFORE GROUND IS BROKEN ON THE NEW
OUTPATIENT CLINIC IN WALLA WALLA. THERE'S NO MORE INPATIENT CARE. SCHACK
SAYS MENTAL HEALTH CARE IS GOING AWAY TOO. NOT TRUE, SAYS DENNIS LEWIS.
HE DIRECTS V.A. MEDICAL CENTERS THROUGHOUT THE NORTHWEST. LEWIS SAYS,
SERVICES ONCE OFFERED AT WALLA WALLA ARE NOW AVAILABLE IN SMALLER V.A.
CLINICS ACROSS THE REGION.
LEWIS: "We've tripled the size of our Yakima clinic. We're doubling the
size of our Richland clinic. And our clinic in Lewiston Idaho has been
approved for full expansion from a two-day a week clinic to a five-day a
week, 40-hour a week clinic."
LEWIS IS ADAMANT THAT SERVICES WILL NOT BE CUT TO HELP BALANCE THE
FEDERAL BUDGET. VETERAN DON SCHACK SAY HE'LL CONTINUE TO PUT PRESSURE ON
THE V.A. TO MAKE SURE THOSE WHO SERVED ARE TAKEN CARE OF. I'M CATHY
DUCHAMP REPORTING.
---------------
Larry Scott
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