Staff report
A review of proposed changes at the Hefner VA Medical Center is scheduled to be completed Wednesday.
U.S. Sen. Richard Burr cited the pending date for the review in a letter to Rodney Cress, a local veteran.
In a letter to Burr, Cress cited concerns of local veterans about plans to close the emergency room and inpatient surgical care.
Veterans throughout the area have registered their opposition including picketing the VA Medical Center on Friday.
Burr cited the many concerns that have been raised about the impact of the changes. He noted that Secretary of Veterans Affairs James Peake has instructed the Hefner VA Medical Center to refrain from making any of the proposed changes until an extensive review of the plan has been completed.
“The results of the review will be submitted no later than Nov. 12, 2008,” wrote Burr. “Afterwards, the Undersecretary of Health will make a recommendation to the Secretary based on the results of the review.”
Burr advised that he is closely following the matter and added that is top priority is to make sure that veterans in North Carolina get the quality of medical treatment that they need or deserve.