WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey testified via satellite today for a local Veterans Administration hearing regarding the proposal of the CARES Commission to end inpatient and urgent care services at the Montrose Veterans Health Center. Please see her testimony below:

“I would like to thank the CARES Commission for agreeing to hold this local hearing regarding its proposal to restructure the VA hospital system. I regret that I cannot be there in person today due to votes in the House of Representatives, and I thank you for this opportunity to speak with you.

“I am deeply concerned that we are on the verge of breaking our promise to the heroes who risked their lives in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and the Gulf War, and the next generation of veterans now serving in Afghanistan and Iraq.

“The proposal of the CARES Commission to restructure the VA hospital system seriously threatens the health care that veterans in the Hudson Valley receive. The proposed relocation of inpatient services from the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Montrose Campus of the VA Hudson Valley Healthcare System to the Castle Point campus would pose several specific problems for local veterans.

“First, by moving inpatient services to a location more than 35 miles from the Montrose Center, the VA would create an onerous commute for veterans and their families. A greater travel distance would increase the burden on spouses, children, and other family members helping to care for their loved ones, making it more difficult to participate in the decision-making and healing process.

“Increasing the patient load at the Castle Point facility would also make the delays in receiving appointments even worse. Veterans tell me they wait up to three months for appointments with primary care physicians – and even longer to see specialists. The delays in diagnosis and treatment are already too long, and restricting services would grind the system to a halt.

“While the Montrose hospital, which has provided care for more than 36,000 veterans over the last three years, has no emergency room, it provides immediate care in its 24-hour “urgent room.” Over the last two years, over 1,000 of the 6,000 veterans who have received care in the urgent room have done so between the hours of 4:00pm and 8:00am. Yet, the CARES Commission has suggested that operating hours at the Montrose center be cut to 9:00am to 5:00pm. How can we in good conscience eliminate emergency services at this center and extend travel time for veterans who need urgent care?

“I am also concerned about mental health services. Seventy of the 291 beds at the Montrose campus are occupied by veterans with mental illnesses. The CARES proposal would push these veterans onto the streets. Cutting vital services is no way to reduce homelessness or provide our veterans with the care they need and deserve.

“This country has made a promise to provide accessible quality health care to the men and women who have served and will serve in our armed forces. The CARES Commission’s recommendations would be the first step in breaking this promise.

“I understand that you are charged with balancing a tight budget with the increasing health needs of our veterans. I urge you to listen closely today to those who would be directly affected by your proposed changes. If you do, you will quickly understand that regardless of the VA’s bottom line, our local veterans cannot afford the drastic changes you want at the Montrose VA Campus. The health and well-being of our veterans is truly at stake.

“Thank you.”