Smith Questions VA Decision to Sever Ties with St. Francis Medical Center

Press Release

Smith Questions VA Decision to Sever Ties with St. Francis Medical Center

Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) has written to Dr. Al Washko, Director of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, expressing his concerns over the decision to cancel its contract for inpatient and specialty care services with St. Francis Medical Center in Grand Island as of September 1.

Nebraska veterans in need of inpatient or specialty care paid for by the VA, unless given specific permission to do otherwise, will now be taken to the Omaha Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Smith, a co-chair of the House Rural Veterans Caucus, expressed his concern over the fact that veterans in Nebraska's Third District often must travel long distances in order to access VA health care.

"I understand the desire of the VA to bring care at the Grand Island facility in line with the national VA policy for emergency care. It is my grave concern, however, that by requiring veterans in rural areas to travel hundreds of miles to receive the care they deserve will cause hardship to them, their families, and ultimately their health," Smith said.

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