Even with a Congressman trying to get it done, waiting is the norm for VA clinic construction

[Poll_Blind]

This article is a very quick read. It's about a new $40 million veterans' hospital that's going to be built my town (Eugene/Springfield) in Oregon. Well, we hope.

Congress approved it 2 1/2 years ago, architects submitted plans over a year ago but the U.S. Veterans Affairs Department says the soonest any ground can be broken is going to be 2013. Why? (sigh) Well, you should read the article to learn more about that. But the short answer is there isn't much of one. Since I've got just 4 paragraphs to share with you, I'm going to share 4 of them which showed what happened when my excellent Congressman, Peter DeFazio, tried to turn the crank and get things working again. We pick up where DeFazio is explaining how useful the new clinic will be and how inexplicable the foot-dragging is:

“This (project) will provide a lot more access to needed services much more quickly once we get it built, which is why I’m so angry that they — for some inexplicable reason — walked away from a number of acceptable proposals a year ago March,” he said.

This June, DeFazio asked the inspector general of the Department of Veterans Affairs to investigate issues associated with the Eugene-area clinic, including the delays. On July 25, Inspector General George Opfer sent DeFazio a letter, saying he doesn’t see a role for himself in the matter.

He “just blew it off,” DeFazio said.

So we all think about getting funding for something like this as being the ultimate goal. But even if the money gets approved by Congress, the battle ain't over till the damned thing gets built. To wit, another clinic in the same situation:

The VA planned to build a 220,000-square-foot full-service outpatient clinic in Fort Wayne, Ind., at a cost of $140 million, according to a news report. Instead, after seven years of planning, the VA shrank the clinic to 27,000 square feet with only mental health services added.

It's shameful, especially when we're talking about services for veterans, how difficult it can be just to get the trigger pulled on a relatively inexpensive investment which would mean so much for so many. It's also a combination eye-opener and reminder that we have to pitch in and help our representatives to put pressure where it's needed.

PB

[sammytko]

1. Maybe they are looking for a good rental?

San Antonio has several new VA clinics and all are in pre-existing buildings - nothing new. Well the one I go to is fairly new, but is in a small medical strip mall.

It is really convenient to go to one of these satellite clinics instead of fighting the crowds at the big hospital or clinic in the medical center. But then we do have 1000s and 1000s of vets in the area, so maybe why we have so much to choose from.

[Javaman]

2. All federal projects are notoriously slow.

just a fact.

I work at an Arch Firm, we have had Fed projects in the past. They are all slow, painfully slow.

So stating that the VA clinic is "delayed" or otherwise is nothing more than political posturing.

if this is delayed by 2 1/2 years, let me tell you, that is par for the course. Nothing new at all.

This article ignores the glaring fact of the mountain of regulations that have to be met to build anything for the government. On top of that, all senators and or reps directly or indirectly involved will make sure their voice and opinion is heard regardless if it pertains to the project or not. Each time a halfwit politician voices concern about this or that, it has to be documented, explored and dealt with.

Just the process.