Francis H Peirpont

Main Menu

  • West Virginia
  • Charleston
  • Raleigh
  • Huntington
  • Accounts

Francis H Peirpont

Header Banner

Francis H Peirpont

  • West Virginia
  • Charleston
  • Raleigh
  • Huntington
  • Accounts
Huntington
Home›Huntington›Suozzi slams plan that would cut services to Northport VA – Huntington Now

Suozzi slams plan that would cut services to Northport VA – Huntington Now

By Lisa R. Bonnell
March 23, 2022
0
0

U.S. Representative Tom Suozzi on Wednesday denounced surprise news that the Veterans Administration was considering major changes to the VA Medical Center in Northport.

The Northport Observer first reported last week that the VA was considering changes such as closing the center’s emergency room and sending other off-campus services to other locations.

It’s the startling nature of the changes, described in a Veterans Administration report, that has most disturbed Suozzi and veterans’ organizations.

“I was completely blindsided,” Suozzi said. “He fell in the middle of our laps. The bottom line is that the first rule of government is to never forget the vet. He said he doesn’t believe the proposals, which include scattering veterans’ care to St. Alban’s, Queens, Connecticut and Commack, were intended to harm their care. “I’m sure there is no malicious intent,” he said. “But it’s such a shock to me, the veterans and the colleagues.”

He said veterans and their families shouldn’t worry and that it would take at least a year of hearings before any changes could be made. “I am for collaboration. I’m not in favor of bureaucrats in Washington making plans and not talking to us first. How you deploy things is an essential part of the community. Do not panic, nothing happens tomorrow. We will fight for the Northport VA.

“I’ve worked really hard to bring in millions to rebuild the ER, and they’re talking about removing ERs,” Suozzi said. “I am very concerned to speak with veterans and organizations, who are surprised by the report. The good news is that it will take a year
before any changes can be made, Suozzi added. “We will make sure veterans are represented.”

Bob Santo, finance manager for American Legion Post 1244 in Greenlawn, said politicians and the VA shouldn’t assume that Suffolk County’s veteran population, still the highest in New State York, will continue to decline as veterans age.

“I think it is extremely premature to plan something like this long term when we know we will need these services again. it doesn’t seem well thought out. I think it’s going to be dead on arrival,” Santo said.

VISN02-Market-Recommendation

Related

Related posts:

  1. Team Hope Walk – Huntington’s Disease Awareness and Funding
  2. George Takei Virtual Captive Huntington Beach Reads The Crowd
  3. Orphaned ducklings find lettuce and love at Huntington Beach Wildlife Center
  4. Failure of genetic therapies for Huntington’s community wreaks havoc

Recent Posts

  • See photos of KISS performing in Raleigh, NC on what may be their final tour
  • California rejects Huntington Beach desalination plant
  • Hammond announces signing of Tucker
  • Registered Dietitian and Pediatrician Address Formula Shortage | MUSK
  • What Raleigh Chef Ashley Christensen Eats, Reads & More

Archives

  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021

Categories

  • Accounts
  • Charleston
  • Huntington
  • Raleigh
  • West Virginia
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy