Task force hears veterans' concerns
LYNDORA — Veterans expressed both concerns and compliments Monday night about VA Butler Healthcare to a national American Legion task force.
The legion's System Worth Saving Task Force collects data and monitors quality of health care at VA medical facilities to be submitted to Congress, the White House and VA administrative leadership.
The intent is to assist the VA in improving its system of care, said Ralph Bozella, a national chairman with the task force.
About 20 veterans, several VA Butler Healthcare staff members, and U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-3rd, of Butler met with the task force at the American Legion Post 778 in Lyndora.
Members of the task force asked the group for anecdotes about VA staff, mental health programs, construction, long-term care and outpatient care.
Issues such as new construction, homelessness and programming were all discussed during the hourlong meeting.
“Every time they build something, it's a mess,” said Arthur Greathead, a Special Forces veteran who is with the Military Veterans Advocates group of the 3rd Congressional District. “Incompetence reigns.”
Greathead also cited a VA community center that was projected to open in 2010, but still hasn't opened. Construction of the buildings themselves were even questionable, he said, with structural and drainage problems.
“We're seeing VA construction problems all over,” Bozella said, in response.
He said the task force is looking at ways the VA can improve its role in the construction process.
Bob Veselich, with the same advocate group, expressed his concerns about off-campus facilities, and whether they'll be given the same standards as current facilities at the New Castle Road location. Veterans are often given “a leg up” in employment at VA facilities. Could the same be said for the new outpatient center?
Meanwhile, VA Butler Healthcare Director John Gennaro responded to many of the veterans' comments. He said the new outpatient building, with the exception of maintenance employees, will have all VA staff members.And while 35 percent of the facility is staffed by veterans, Gennaro said he hopes to increase that to 40 percent in the future. And no one would be losing his job.LeRoy Bunyan, a member of the Legion Riders, talked about how its Vets in Need program hasn't gotten as much VA support as before. The program helps veterans who lack housewares and furniture, sometimes even a home.They had used a residential home on the VA campus to store materials, but they had to clear out the home last year because they were told the building was going to be knocked down.“Within the last year or so, the VA walked away from this program,” Bunyan said. “We're trying to help.”Gennaro said in response: “The challenge we had, (with the structure), was a safety concern.”Eugene Wise, a longtime volunteer at the Adult Day Health Care program, talked about how the program is doing. He said it has been in decline in recent years.When he volunteered, from about 1996 to 2007, “It was booming,” he said. “There was a waiting list.”But now there is more limited programming and fewer employees.“It's just not the same,” he said.While some VA programs were scrutinized, others were lauded. Veterans spoke highly of VA Butler for quick turnaround on medical appointments, its outreach to recent veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan, and for its solid mental health services.The System Worth Saving Task Force last visited Butler in 2003, the same year the group was established. The group goes to about 15 VA medical centers each year.The task force will have a site check at the facility today. A review of the report will be available in the next few weeks.
