Letter to Secretary Department of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi

July 24, 2003

The Honorable Anthony J. Principi
Secretary
Department of Veterans Affairs
810 Vermont Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20420

Dear Secretary Principi,

I write with serious concerns regarding the CARES initiative. I have read and reviewed the Veterans Integrated Services Network (VISN) 20 facilities recommendations to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The VISN 20 submission details a growing veterans population as well as significant requirements for specialized care throughout the State of Washington.

As a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, I have learned that instructions were given to the VISN 20 leadership to resubmit their facilities recommendations with plans to potentially close VA facilities at American Lake, Vancouver and Walla Walla. This mandate from the VA will restrict and deny healthcare access to thousands of Washington veterans including those with specialty care needs like mental health, blind rehabilitation services, and treatment for spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries.

According to the CARES Guidebook, VA facilities were tasked with developing recommendations based on a thorough review of population data; the conduct of market analyses of veterans health care needs; the identification of planning initiatives for each market area; and most important, the significant involvement of stakeholders. Following the criteria and process set forth by VA, facilities made their recommendations to the Under Secretary for Health.

A review of the VISN 20 facilities recommendation now available on the VA web site underscores that the region forecasts significant growth in the veterans population. Where the veterans population has declined, VISN 20 proposes changes at
one location to meet the needs of the local veterans population. The VISN 20 submission also highlights significant gaps in both primary and specialty care for Washington veterans. It is outrageous that mandates would be given to VISN 20 to potentially close three Washington facilities. This action completely disregards VISN 20 recommendations for health care delivery to my state's veteran population.

Mr. Secretary, I urge you to immediately withdraw the mandate to VISN 20 to take steps to potentially close veterans healthcare facilities at American Lake, Vancouver and Walla Walla. I await your prompt reply on this urgent matter to veterans all across Washington state.

Sincerely,

Patty Murray
United States Senator