ROSEBURG, Ore. (AP) — U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden and U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio have asked Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki to suspend any planned changes in services at the Roseburg, Ore., Veterans Affairs Medical Center. They also asked him for an independent review to determine if any potential changes would prevent veterans from receiving needed services.
The two Democratic members of Oregon’s congressional delegation say what they heard from veterans at a recent Roseburg forum left them very concerned that area vets may not get adequate health care in the future.
Megan Streight, a spokeswoman for the Veterans Integrated Service Network that oversees VA facilities in the Northwest, responded to the congressmen’s letter this week. She says the network has agreed to their request for an external review of any proposed changes in service. And she adds the outside agency will review possible changes in how emergency care is provided.
On Oct. 1, the Roseburg VA facility closed its intensive care unit and replaced it with a unit that provides less critical care. Streight says if changes are made, veterans won’t be losing services.
