New plan would add community-based VA centers and close outdated VA facilities in Oklahoma

Monday, May 10th 2004, 12:13 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ The addition of five new community clinics and the closure of an inpatient surgery program in Muskogee are included in a Veterans Affairs plan to modernize its health care facilities.

``These changes will provide greater access to care for veterans,'' said VA Secretary Anthony J. Principi. ``By strengthening our network of outpatient clinics, we will bring a greater quality of care closer to where most of Oklahoma's veterans live.''

About 72,000 of Oklahoma's 365,000 veterans were treated last year in VA's health care facilities, up from 60,000 in 2000. In 2003, VA spent $1.2 billion in Oklahoma, an increase from $843 million three years before.

Under the plan, Oklahoma veterans will benefit from five new outpatient clinics in Vinita, Jay, Enid, Altus and Stillwater.

The VA also will conduct a study on how to best meet the needs of veterans in the Tulsa and Muskogee area. This plan could include expansion of an inpatient psychiatry center in Muskogee.

While the VA plans to close an inpatient surgery program in Muskogee, it will keep an ambulatory surgery program and observation beds there.

The reorganization plan seeks to add 150 new outpatient clinics nationwide, as well as a spinal cord injury centers, two new blind rehabilitation centers.

The plan was hashed out after a study by the General Accounting Office found that VA was using a million dollars a day to maintain old or unused buildings. The average age the VA's buildings in more than 50 years old.