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> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
>
> February 8, 2002

# VA Announces Decision on Realigning Chicago-Area Hospitals

> WASHINGTON \-- The Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs
> (VA) has announced his decision to maintain VA\'s large,
> multi-specialty outpatient clinic at the Lakeside Division of the VA
> Chicago Healthcare System and shift inpatient services to a remodeled
> West Side Division.
>
> In announcing the decision, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J.
> Principi
>
> said, "These changes will enable us make the best use of our resources
> by redirecting them where they are most needed and, at the same time,
> allowing us to treat more veterans at more locations."
>
> Principi said that Chicago has two VA hospitals, and there is a
> projected need for only one in the city in 2010. "The vast majority of
> the health care VA provides to veterans is on an outpatient basis,"
> said Principi, "so veterans who use Lakeside will continue to receive
> most of their care at that site.
>
> \"By shifting inpatient care to West Side, VA will meet veterans'
> future health care needs more efficiently and effectively. We also
> will enhance our long-term care and specialty programs, such as blind
> rehabilitation and spinal-cord injury," he added.
>
> Additionally, VA is committed to maintaining the long-standing,
> mutually beneficial relationship with both Northwestern University
> Medical School and the University of Illinois, Principi said. Thirteen
> VA medical centers currently have two medical schools sharing an
> affiliation at a VA facility.
>
> The announcement is the outcome of a new planning process called CARES
> (Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services), which VA began in
> October 2000.
>
> -More-

CARES 2-2-2-2

> VA contracted with Booz-Allen & Hamilton to conduct a pilot CARES
> study in Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 12, which covers
> the Chicago area, Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Nine
> options were announced in June 2001 for these three areas within VISN
> 12.
>
> Following an extensive evaluation, three preliminary options were
>
> selected, one for each market. The department then initiated a 60-day
> public comment period. Comments were reviewed by VA's National CARES
> Steering Committee before recommendations were presented to the Under
> Secretary for Health, then to the Secretary for the final decision.
>
> Before that decision was made, VA conducted a review of VISN 12's
>
> capability to serve as medical backup to the Department of Defense in
> the event of war and to support federal efforts during national and
> local disasters. The contractor assessed this role in developing the
> options for VISN 12. However, in light of the September 11 terrorist
> attacks, VA wanted to ensure that VISN 12 would be capable of meeting
> all of its missions simultaneously under the CARES options.
>
> In addition to shifting inpatient services to West Side while
> maintaining an outpatient clinic at Lakeside, the Lakeside property
> will be made available for other governmental and commercial uses. The
> Hines VA Medical Center will be renovated, including the Blind
> Rehabilitation and Spinal Cord Injury Centers. Sharing opportunities
> between the North Chicago VA Medical Center and the adjacent Naval
> Hospital Great Lakes will be enhanced.
>
> In the Central Market, which encompasses Wisconsin, 75 nursing-home
> beds will be transferred to the Madison VA Medical Center from the
> Tomah VA Medical Center, bringing Madison to full capacity. The Tomah
> and Milwaukee VA medical centers will be renovated, and both
> facilities will maintain their current missions. Milwaukee also will
> continue to supply spinal cord injury services. In addition, three
> community-based outpatient clinics are recommended in Green Bay and
> Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., and Freeport, Ill.
>
> -More-

CARES 3-3-3-3

> The Iron Mountain, Mich., VA Medical Center (Northern Market) will
> continue as an active facility. The medical center will be renovated
> and will maintain its current role as a telemedicine hub. A new
> community-based outpatient clinic is recommended in Gladstone (Delta
> County).
>
> The first phase of the CARES process was a pilot study. Subsequent
> CARES studies will be conducted throughout the VA health care system.
> This process is expected to be completed in two years.
>
> \###