WASHINGTON – After a detailed, two-year examination of its Boston operations, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has rejected a proposal to close its four Boston hospitals and create a single medical center for the metropolitan area.
“VA is committed to continuing world-class medical care that is convenient and accessible for Boston-area veterans,” said the Honorable R. James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs. “VA will provide veterans with the care they need in the locations that make sense.”
The secretary rejected consolidating all health care services at one location during the initial examination and has called for further study of several other options to modernize its facilities to meet the future needs of Boston veterans. Additional options include:
Shifting inpatient psychiatry and long-term care from VA’s Bedford facility to its Brockton medical center, while retaining outpatient care at Bedford; and
Consolidating at either the Jamaica Plains or West Roxbury facilities the services currently divided between these sites.
Ensuring state-of-the-art care will be a key component of the studies. Once information is developed on these options, Nicholson said VA will solicit additional input during future public meetings by the local advisory panel to assist in developing a final plan to modernize services for Boston veterans.
Nicholson’s announcement comes after reviewing input from veterans groups, academic affiliates, labor unions, employees and other stakeholders, along with the recommendations of a local advisory panel that has held public meetings.
