NORTH CHICAGO, Ill. – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) expanded their cooperative efforts in metropolitan Chicago with an agreement announced today to coordinate health care operations in the North Chicago-Great Lakes areas.
"This joint initiative marks the beginning of an era of renewed – and I believe, unprecedented – collaboration between the health care resources of VA and the Defense Department," said VA's Under Secretary for Health, Dr. Robert H. Roswell. "This partnership is critical to our ability to continue to deliver high quality care to our respective beneficiaries across the country."
Roswell announced the agreement with Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, Dr. William Winkenwerder, that calls for the Navy to construct a new ambulatory medical facility for outpatient services. The North Chicago VA Medical Center will provide comprehensive surgical care.
The Navy, through partnership with North Chicago VAMC, will use the VA hospital for its inpatient medical and surgical needs. Additionally, Navy surgical teams will work at the North Chicago VAMC, enabling them to maintain their surgical competencies.
"With this agreement, the Navy gains a modern ambulatory care center at a cost less than building a new hospital," Winkenwerder said. "VA beneficiaries gain increased access to surgical care closer to their homes and families, and the overall operating expenses of both departments should be reduced."
On Feb. 8, the two departments announced a landmark agreement, which saw the transfer of 48 acres of land from VA to the Navy, in exchange for the Navy's purchase f electricity and steam from a VA-sponsored co-generation energy center.
The latest agreement, made possible by the active assistance of interested members of Congress, was based upon a year-long study to preserve accessible health care while identifying the most cost-effective arrangement for providing care to veterans and military personnel.
"This agreement strengthens our partnership with VA, and most importantly, helps us both to better serve our beneficiaries – military personnel, their families, and our veterans," said DoD's Winkenwerder.
