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Give veterans their own VA hospital as promised

This letter has not been edited

Ralph Bozella, Past State Commander, The American Legion, Colorado

Published August 18, 2008 at 6 p.m.

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In its editorial of July 22, 2008, the Rocky Mountain News asked the question about the VA wrangle, "Why does new facility have to be a stand alone hospital?" A better question would be, "Why is the VA so intent on splitting outpatient care from inpatient care at the proposed Fitzsimons VA medical center? Since one of the functions of a free press is to investigate, then perhaps the RM News should dig deep and find the answers.

Colorado veteran service organizations have advocated for a new VA medical center at Fitzsimons for the past 13 years. Since 2004 two plans were adopted and both times the VA pulled the plug, resulting in escalating costs, while the veterans in this region have nothing to show for all the effort. Both times when the VA changed its plans it did not communicate with the stakeholders or the Colorado Congressional delegation. This time the new plan caused a stir because of the concept of renting 'hospital within a hospital' space from University of Colorado Hospital. The VA plan calls for a separate outpatient care center eight blocks from the hospital. This would also cause efficiency issues for both medical staff and patients.

The veterans were promised a new hospital that would encompass outpatient and inpatient care, a Spinal Cord Injury unit, and VA nursing home. We are asking that this promise be fulfilled and that the VA does its due diligence and take into consideration all costs and related concerns of sharing the rented space associated with the new plan. The analysis should include the life cycle costs of a 30 to 50 year lease - funds that could be put to construction of the new hospital, the costs that UCH medical service that will be charged to the VA on a per use basis, the issues associated with rented space, and loss of identity by veterans.

The VA needs to consider making the right decision for the right reasons - give the veterans their own VA hospital as promised, and do so with the best use of taxpayer's dollars. Only then will this issue be resolved.

Comments

  • August 18, 2008

    8:37 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Castle writes:

    I don't see a problem with a VA hospital partnered with another. The VA hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas is partnered with the UAMS hospital. You often see doctors, nurses, and tech from both working together. I get excellent care from them.

    I think that Colorado veteran service organizations should push for another hospital in the Pueblo area befor creating a huge hospital in Denver.

  • August 19, 2008

    12:57 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    fiesty writes:

    I advocate for a new hospital, based upon the p*ss poor care I have received from the current hospital. All I ever seem to see are interns/residents from university, with all of them on one floor reporting to ONE attending. No wonder the quality of care is poor! Yes, this is how doctors learn, but interns/residents should be the minority- a hospital should NOT have interns/residents providing the majority of care!

  • August 19, 2008

    4:29 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Castle writes:

    I agree to a point FIESTY. A new hospital would only continue the ratiao of Drs to interns/residents. The number of Drs. needs to be increased, but you'll never see a majority of Drs. to interns/residents.

    My son was in Loma Linda University Hospital {Loma Linda, CA} , one of the best teaching hospitals in the country. He had two operations at over $150,000 per. He got excelent care and is doing well today with just a little hip problem. His primary Dr. only had 2-4 interns/residents to manage. That's a workable situation.