September 12, 2005

Pryce Welcomes in New VA Facility at Groundbreaking Ceremony

Columbus, Ohio– Today, Congresswoman Deborah Pryce (R-Upper Arlington) was among the featured speakers to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new Chalmers P. Wylie Veterans Affairs Ambulatory Care Center, a 295,000 square foot outpatient facility to be located at the Defense Supply Center Columbus.

Pryce joined her central Ohio Congressional colleagues Pat Tiberi and David Hobson, as well as Senator George Voinovich at the event. Together, they had worked for years to impress upon the VA the need for an expanded ambulatory care facility in Columbus, and helped secure $95 million in construction funding. VA Secretary Jim Nicholson was the keynote speaker at the event.

“For far too long, our area veterans have been driving to Cleveland, Cincinnati and Dayton for basic but life-sustaining treatments. I know of veterans who once a week would travel hours by bus to other cities for orthopedic care or dialysis treatments,” said Pryce. “I thank VA Secretaries Nicholson and Anthony Principi for recognizing the needs of our area’s veterans.”

When it is completed in 2008, the medical center will bring a state-of-the-art facility to the veterans of central Ohio with a more than 150 percent increase in size over the current VA outpatient clinic located on Taylor Avenue. Along with the additional space, veterans will see enhanced capabilities added to the center including the establishment of an orthotic laboratory for the construction of advanced prostheses, and the expansion of specialty care services such as orthopedics, pulmonary, cardiology, urology and in-house dialysis programs. An office for veterans’ benefits will also co-locate with the care center.

“Our nation’s veterans have fought tyranny and terror on all corners of the globe, said Pryce. “They have made tremendous sacrifices to protect America and our way of life, and in return, should be afforded the very best health care our country has to offer. At long last, our area veterans will soon have a health care facility commensurate to the valor and heroism they displayed in defending our nation.”