Lawmakers urge action to avoid gap in VA care

WASHINGTON — Three New York lawmakers urged the Department of Veterans Affairs on Thursday not to allow a gap in coverage for Northern New Yorkers between the closing of the VA clinic in Carthage this month and the opening of a new location in Watertown in February.

Sens. Kirsten E. Gillibrand and Charles E. Schumer, and Rep. William L. Owens, D-Plattsburgh, told Veterans Secretary Eric K. Shinseki that any gap in coverage would create a "unique hardship" because of the clinic's support for the Fort Drum community.

"Carthage is directly adjacent to Fort Drum and as a result the area is home to a large number of veterans who depend on the clinic for their medical needs," the lawmakers wrote to Mr. Shinseki, who also is a former Army chief of staff.

"It's an unfair situation to put the veterans in," Mr. Owens said in a telephone interview.

The possibility of a gap became evident Thursday when officials announced that the VA clinic would move to Watertown in February — but that the VA's contract at Carthage Area Hospital ends Nov. 30 and that they had no further information about the period between those dates.

Looking into the issue Thursday, the lawmakers' offices learned that the VA is considering how to address that period to avoid a gap in coverage, including possibly keeping the Carthage facility open on a contingency basis.

The hospital had blamed changes in its contract with the Syracuse VA Medical Center, which runs outpatient clinics as well, for the decision to close its VA clinic.

"It is our hope that you will be able to implement these plans swiftly to ensure that area veterans do not have to rely on private care, and maintain their access to VA care. Additionally, we would readily offer any assistance we can provide in helping to avoid or limit any gap in coverage," the lawmakers wrote.