Wyden Calls For Suspension of Reductions at Roseburg VA Hospital

Press Release

Wyden Calls For Suspension of Reductions at Roseburg VA Hospital

In reacting to the news that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is considering the elimination of emergency and inpatient services at the Roseburg VA Medical Center, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) sent a letter to Eric K. Shinseki, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, urging the department to suspend planned reductions pending a written plan for providing affected veterans services the facility previously provided.

"I am especially disturbed that this loss of health care services for Oregon's veterans seems to be happening behind closed doors," Wyden said in the letter. "Such a life-changing decision for our veterans in the rural, southern part of the state seems to be taking place with no public discussion -- and no plan in place to make sure that our veterans can continue getting the care they need."

The Roseburg VA Medical Center provides healthcare services for tens of thousands of veterans living in Central and Southern Oregon and Northern California. Reducing the services available at the Roseburg facility will put Oregon's rural veterans at a further disadvantage, compromising their health, putting their employment at risk and putting pressure on already financially struggling local hospitals.

"Eliminating these vital services will force veterans to either travel long distances to another VA facility or seek care at local community hospitals," Wyden continued in the letter. "However, for many veterans, traveling three hours or longer to a VA hospital creates substantial hardship for their families and could put their employment at risk. Some rural veterans may choose to give up needed health care rather than put their families and good credit at risk."

Oregon is preparing to welcome home nearly 3,000 new veterans from Iraq and in coming years will do the same for new veterans of Afghanistan. Wyden expressed concern over the reduction of the Roseburg facility noting the negative effects of a recent closing of five inpatient beds at a Walla Walla facility that compromised the facilities ability to perform vital services. Given the time sensitivity of the issue, Wyden has requested a response within 15 days.

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