VA Announces Funding To Realign Chicago-Area Facilities
August 30, 2002
WASHINGTON – Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi today announced his decision to invest more than $300 million in realigning Chicago-area hospitals to ensure better service for veterans in the area.
“I am pleased we will be able to redirect our resources to where veterans need them,” Principi said. “These changes will allow us to provide quality, 21st century care for more veterans and better meet their future health care needs.”
The realignment is the outcome of a planning process called CARES, “Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services,” which VA began in October 2000.
Of the $300 million, VA will invest more than $132 million in appropriated funds --$115 million of which was specifically provided by Congress for CARES implementation -- for the following major initiatives:
A new Comprehensive Rehabilitation Center at the Hines, Ill., Hospital for spinal cord injury and blind rehabilitation;
Modernized inpatient units at hospitals in North Chicago; Hines, Ill.; Iron Mountain, Mich.; plus Madison, Milwaukee and Tomah, Wis.
Modernized outpatient and emergency room facilities at the West Side, Ill., division of the VA Chicago Healthcare System, and at Hines and Tomah.
VA will maintain an outpatient clinic in downtown Chicago and a remodeled one at West Side, while concentrating inpatient services at West Side.
An additional $100 million in privately financed projects through VA’s Enhanced Use Leasing Program will make possible the following investments – new energy plants at North Chicago and West Side; plus a new regional office for benefits combined with a new parking structure at West Side.
VA will request funding for a new hospital-bed inpatient tower at West Side, estimated to cost $100 million.
VA will transfer all inpatients from Lakeside to West Side and Hines by December 2003, and evaluate the best use for the Lakeside facility. VA is committed to maintaining a clinic in the downtown area.
