(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Congressman Dennis Moore (Third District-KS) today praised a Veterans Administration decision that will keep beds at the Dwight D. Eisenhower VA Medical Center in Leavenworth open. The VA today presented their draft national plan to the Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES) planning committee. The draft can be viewed at: http://www.va.gov/cares/.

“I am pleased that the VA has recognized the urgent medical needs of Kansas veterans. Asking veterans to wait even longer for basic non-emergency services is unconscionable, and I will continue working to make sure that veterans have access to the health care they deserve,” said Moore. “Congress needs to be involved in the process of determining the future of the VA health care system, especially if facilities are being cut.”

Originally, veterans worried that the CARES draft plan would cut existing Leavenworth services. A preliminary report warned that “realignment of workload from Leavenworth to Kansas City would exceed current capacity…Elimination of inpatient and outpatient primary care capabilities at Leavenworth would seriously undermine continuity of care for the remaining long-term care patients, reduce timely access to care, [and] hinder its ability to provide ongoing support to the DOD facility…”

“Eliminating services in Leavenworth would be a grave disservice to the men and women who have served our country,” Moore said. “There is already a 6 month waiting period at the Kansas City VA hospital and redirecting Leavenworth patients to KC could overwhelm a system that is already overwhelmed. After making a sacrifice for our country, our veterans should not be denied access to health benefits they have earned.”

Moore worked to keep services open to vets by introducing a bill on July 21, 2003, that would require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to give Congress 60 days to review any action proposed under the CARES process. During that time, the VA would be prohibited from moving forward with any bed reductions or facility closures. Moore’s bipartisan bill, H.R. 2808, has overwhelming support, with 163 cosponsors.

Moore’s bill has gained the support of Jeff Lawson, Kansas State Commander of the VFW; Damon Christensen, American Legion Alternate National Executive Committeeman for the Department of Kansas; and David Brader, Kansas DAV State Commander.

In addition, Moore’s office collaborated with the VA Eastern Kansas Advisory Committee, established by VA Secretary Anthony Principi, to put together a sensible plan to maintain and improve cooperation and services at Leavenworth and Topeka.

For the next 8 to 10 years, demand at Kansas City area VA hospitals will continue to increase. In 2020, usage at the VA hospitals in the area is projected to be 30 percent higher than today.

The national draft plan still suggests elimination of beds and closure of facilities across the country. The CARES initiative, established by the VA Secretary in October 2000, is a nine-step program that aims to modernize the VA health care system.

The next step in this review process will occur on August 18, when CARES officials will host a hearing at the Leavenworth VA hospital to hear from local constituents and veterans who rely on medical services. Moore will offer his comments at the hearing.