VA to build 156 community clinics

VFW Magazine, August, 2004 by Tim Dyhouse

In May, VA announced plans to modernize its health care system. Specific objectives were the result of a three-year study known as the Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES).

VA plans to invest $1 billion annually in the plan for the next seven years. VA expects the percentage of America's 25 million veterans enrolled in its system to increase from the current 28% to 33% by 2022.

VA plans to:

* Construct new medical centers in Orlando, Fla., and Las Vegas, Nev.;

* Add 156 new community-based outpatient clinics in rural areas;

* Create four new--and expand five existing--spinal cord injury centers;

* Open two new blind rehabilitation centers; and

* Expand mental health outpatient centers nationwide.

The plan also calls for closing three hospitals and consolidating or reorganizing others (see April Washington Wire.) After thorough review of the CARES plan, VFW announced its support in May.

"We fully understand that the closing or consolidation of some facilities may inconvenience some veterans," VFW Commander-in-Chief Ed Banas said, "but VA has offered reassurances that no veteran will be denied or have their health care delayed during the transition. We also realize that more work needs to be done to study mental health and long-term care, especially with the unknown impact of the war on terrorism on our military personnel and their families."

For more information about CARES, access www.va.gov.