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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Murray seeks answers on VA facility

Nicholas K. Geranios Associated Press

U.S. Sen. Patty Murray on Thursday asked the Veterans Administration for details on a cryptic plan to preserve medical services for military veterans in the Walla Walla area.

Veterans Administration Secretary James Nicholson flew to Walla Walla last week to announce that a new outpatient clinic would replace an aging hospital there. But he has provided no details on a timetable or costs or exactly what services would be offered.

“A 15-minute press conference does not a VA hospital make,” Murray, D-Wash., said in a conference call with reporters on Thursday.

The aging Jonathan Wainwright VA Medical Center serves 69,000 veterans in parts of Washington, Oregon and Idaho.

Murray, who has worked for years to preserve veterans care in the Walla Walla area, was not informed of the Nicholson announcement and has not been able to learn details since, even though she serves on the Veterans Affairs committee.

Dennis Lewis, director of the VA in the Pacific Northwest, said questions about the new clinic cannot be answered yet because the design process has just started.

“How long it takes and what it costs depends on what you cram into it,” said Lewis, who spent Thursday assuring staff in Walla Walla that the VA would remain there.

Construction costs in Walla Walla are likely to be about $250 a square foot, he said.

Key decisions that must be made include exactly what services will be provided, Lewis said.

Even though the new facility was described as an outpatient clinic, there may be some inpatient services, such as mental health or nursing home care, he said.

Lewis said it was incorrect to assume that Wainwright was closing.

Nicholson’s visit provided more questions than answers, Murray wrote.

“Your surprise visit and secrecy-shrouded announcement fell far short of the open, detailed answers (veterans) deserve,” Murray wrote to Nicholson. “Veterans have been rightfully worried about how they will get the health care they need, and your announcement has not eased those worries.”