Broken Promises: One Local Group's Fight to Keep the VA Hospital Open

When people think of the VA Hospital, usually the first thing that comes to mind is veterans, right? Well, most people are unaware that the future of the VA Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana is all but secure. There's a very special group of local veterans known as Veterans for Better Health Care that want to make sure all of our local vets are taken care of today and in the future, and that the VA Hospital not only stays put, but also runs at full capacity.

Who takes care of those that come back from war with physical and mental disabilities? Easy question to answer, right? Or, at least it should be. There's been a battle going on going on right here in Ft. Wayne. In 2004, the VA Hospital at 2121 Lake Avenue, serving 14 counties, closed down most of the in-patient unit, due to questionable budget cuts.

Their surgical department has also seen heavy setbacks. If a vet requires an emergency surgery they have to drive to the Indianapolis VA Hospital, more than 100 miles away. But, there's a local group of dedicated veterans known as the Veterans for Better Health Care, which want to see things chance. And soon.

Founded in 2005, Veterans for Better Health Care is a not-for-profit, bipartisan group with a current core membership of ten, veteran and non-veteran, members.

"It's been an uphill battle but, we're not going away." says ex-Congressional hopeful and group member, Doctor Tom Hayhurst. "The veterans' administration said we're not going to shut down the VA, and we will not close down the in-patient beds until a suitable replacement had been arranged. Nothing was ever developed." The VA has decreased the number of in-house beds from 243 down to just 28.

"That's just not good enough!" says VBHC Co-founder Michael Tucker. "People need to call their Senator, the Governor, and the Mayor and hound them about the hospital. When asked about the group's non-profit stance, largely funded by donations, he added, "We tell people that are trying to recruit into us, we don't want your money, all we want is your voice." Membership is completely free.

Currently, there is no annual budget for the VA Hospital. Instead, each year the decision of how much money to put into the VA is decided by Congress. As group Secretary Dick Robinson put it, "The VA itself isn't the problem. Every year the VA has to go to Congress and appropriate the money."

One of the group's main concerns is for the welfare of the soldiers currently in action in the Middle East. They want to have a fully functioning VA hospital, at least until all of the veterans come home. Doctor Hayhurst adds, "There's around 23,000 injured, the mental ramifications all this, and what's going to be their needs? Well, surely no one knows this."

Patient Representative for the VA Hospital, Tim Twiss, had this to say, "We haven't forgotten our area vets and are working on solutions to meet their needs."

One thing the Veterans for Better Health Care do to get their message out and to gain support is to participate in local Parades. Unfortunately, because of insurance and other financial reasons, they have been unable to march in the Three Rivers Festival Parade. They do, however, march in other towns including Ossian, Kendallville, South Whitley, Auburn, and their favorite is Pickle Days in St. Joe.

If anyone would like more info on the Veterans for Better Health Care, please contact Mike Tucker at (260) 492-0522