FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 24, 1997
CONTACT: Dana Hagerty 202/225-2165
WASHINGTON, DC -- In questioning at a joint hearing and in a private conversation afterwards, Congressman Collin C. Peterson (DFL-7th District) today had a chance to discuss the possible future integration of the Minneapolis and St. Cloud VA medical facility management and services with the Under Secretary of Health for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Dr. Kenneth Kizer was testifying before The House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Subcommittees on Health and Oversight and Investigations as a joint hearing was held on the consolidation of VA medical facility management and services.
"The possibility of integrating the Minneapolis and St. Cloud veterans hospitals is currently in the exploratory stage," Peterson said, "however, I want to be assured that all decisions are made in the best interest of everyone involved."
Dr. Kizer told Peterson that the integration would not proceed forward unless five goals are met. Peterson was assured that the integration would not go through unless it would increase access to care for veterans, increase the consistency of high quality care being provided, optimize the efficiency of resources, modernize VA healthcare through combining its administrative practices and management strategies, and reduce unnecessary costs.
"I was also assured that decisions regarding the proposed integration would not be made without stakeholders, including veterans organizations, county veterans service officers, and employees, being involved in the process and agreeing to the plan," Peterson said.
"The veterans in the St. Cloud area need to clearly see how VA services will be improved, maintained, and expanded in the St. Cloud area if this integration goes through, Peterson added. "Are we going to see improved hospital access, new outpatient clinics, more doctors, and an improvement in patient waiting times? Veterans in Minnesota need to know if there will be clear advantages to integration."
Peterson also asked Dr. Kizer to do all he could to see that the St. Cloud Veterans Hospital would be sustained in the long-term future, even in the face of future budget constraints.