Chicago Suburban News: James A. Lovell Center Nears Full Congressional Approval

News Article

James A. Lovell Center Nears Full Congressional Approval

Chicago Suburban News

by News-Sun staff

The U.S. House voted overwhelmingly Thursday to complete the merger of Navy and Veterans Affairs personnel and resources at the future James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago.

The legislation, attached to the 2010 National Defense Authorization Act by U.S. Reps. Mark Kirk, R-Highland Park, and Melissa Bean, D-Barrington, and Assistant Senate Majority Leader Richard Durbin, now goes before the Senate for final consideration and signature by the president.

"Before this first-ever joint Navy/VA hospital opens next year, the Department of Defense and the VA needed the statutory authority to seamlessly move personnel and resources between the two departments," Kirk said. "The Kirk-Bean-Durbin language helps us clear the final hurdle to make our new veterans' hospital a reality."

The legislation also designates the Lovell center as a military treatment facility, a technical designation needed to prevent military retirees under the TRICARE system from being forced to make costly co-payments when they receive care at the joint facility.

"I was proud to join my House colleagues in passing this provision, and commend Senator Durbin in working to include it in the Senate authorization bill," Bean said. "By combining the VA Medical Center with the Naval Health Clinic, we will provide quality care to active duty personnel, veterans and military retirees, while saving the taxpayers $80 million in construction costs.

The facility is expected to open in 2010 and will care for more than 100,000 veterans, retirees, sailors and their families.

Source