Long-term care facility at local VA hospital is needed We are confident the need for the facility can be proven, just as we are certain that there is a need for the VA to continue to have a medical center here.
By the Editorial Board of the Union-Bulletin
Now is the time to push for a long-term care facility on the grounds of the Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial VA Medical Center.
It would be a boon for local veterans and would help secure the long-term future of the medical center.
John Lee, director of Washington state's Office of Veterans Affairs, is optimistic that a facility could be built in two years if everything went right.
Lee, who was in Walla Walla last week, is looking to secure $5 million in funds from the state Legislature next year. That money would be used to fund the state's portion of the proposed $15 million facility. The federal VA would then pick up the rest of the tab.
Lee said it was important to get the state funds up front to show the federal government that Washington is serious about the project.
``I can tell you for sure as we look to the budget for the next biennium this will be a priority,'' Lee said during his visit.
Lee will be working with Senate Minority Leader Mike Hewitt, R-Walla Walla, Rep. Maureen Walsh, R-College Place and Rep. Bill Grant, D-Walla Walla, to highlight the need for the facility. Lee was optimistic that lawmakers would fund the project, perhaps as early as 2008.
But getting funding next year might be difficult as legislators generally focus on long-term capital projects when they write the two-year state budget in odd years such as 2009.
Lee and local officials who have worked to secure the VA's presence in Walla Walla understand that getting the needed facilities built is a long-term effort. Lee indicated he is willing to invest the time and energy to the project because he believes it is needed.
The state VA system wants to have a long-term care facility in every major region of the state. A facility in Walla Walla would serve Southeastern Washington and would also be available for veterans from Northeast Oregon and Idaho.
The current plan calls for building an 80-bed facility, but that could be increased to 100 beds or more if analysis shows the need exits.
We are confident the need can easily be proven, just as we are certain that there is a need for the VA to continue to have a medical center here.
The number of veterans returning home from war is growing. Many of them have serious wounds, physical as well as mental.
In addition, veterans from World War II, Korea and Vietnam are aging and in need of care - long-term care. The demand for medical services is growing far faster than the facilities are being built.
Wainwright is the right place to provide medical services, including long-term care, to our veterans.
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