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SECRETARY NICHOLSON TAKES NEXT STEP IN PRIVATIZING

THE VA -- Many healthcare services at Columbus, Ohio VA

clinic will be outsourced. $21 million contract

awarded to OhioHealth.

 

 

Instead of hiring VA employees to provide vital healthcare services for veterans, VA Secretary Jim Nicholson has taken the next step in privatizing the VA.

While the good news is that some vets won't have to travel for some services, the bad news is that the VA is getting closer and closer to being just another HMO.

It's time for the VA to BUILD THE BUILDINGS, AND STAFF THE BUILDINGS WITH VA EMPLOYEES instead of renting, leasing and outsourcing.

Outsourcing costs more.  Outsourcing opens veterans' records to "civilian" eyes and compromises security.  Outsourcing isn't as efficient.

But, there's money to be made, and our politicians will make sure that somebody gets that money.

Another problem here is that OhioHealth proudly states that they are a faith-based organization.  This raises the serious question of where they draw the line between religion and healthcare.  Something to think about.

NOTE:  Take a look at the names of the three House Members who were with Secretary for this "outsourcing" announcement.  Then go here and take a look at their voting records on veterans' issues...
http://www.vawatchdog.org/old%20newsflashes%20MAY%2006/newsflash05-14-2006-1.htm    All three have a big fat ZERO when it comes to voting for the DAV's 2005 legislative agenda.

Information on the clinic here... http://www.visn10.va.gov/columbus/

VA press release here... http://www.vawatchdog.org/
vapressrelease/vapressrelease10-10-06-2.htm

Press release below: 

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$21 Million Contract for Comprehensive VA Care in Columbus

October 10, 2006

COLUMBUS, Ohio – To improve access to health care for veterans in Columbus, Ohio, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has signed a $21 million contract with OhioHealth to offer inpatient care and some specialty outpatient care to veterans.

“VA is committed to ensuring our veterans have world-class health care,” said the Honorable R. James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

“This decision represents another important step toward enhancing access to health care for veterans in central Ohio.”

Nicholson was joined in his announcement by Rep. Deborah Pryce (R-15th), Rep. Patrick J. Tiberi (R-12th) and Rep. David L. Hobson (R-7th).

Under terms of a four-year, $20.7 million contract, OhioHealth will provide urgent and emergency inpatient care and some specialized outpatient services for veterans using the VA's Chalmers P. Wylie Outpatient Clinic.

About 300 veterans are expected to be hospitalized at OhioHealth’s Riverside Hospital during the first year of the contract.

VA’s outpatient facility in Columbus treats about 30,000 veterans each year, accounting for 300,000 outpatient visits.

In May 2004, VA announced plans to build a new outpatient clinic in Columbus on 20 acres formerly part of the Defense Department’s Defense Supply Center.

Ground was broken for the new facility in September 2005, with construction for the new outpatient clinic scheduled to be finished by the spring of 2008.

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Larry Scott

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