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VA to Continue All Services at Waco

December 1, 2006

WASHINGTON – After a comprehensive review of the Waco Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center, its mission and veterans' needs, the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Jim Nicholson, today announced his decision to keep the Waco veterans hospital open.

“Meeting the health care needs of veterans is VA’s highest priority,” Nicholson said. “I have visited Waco and seen firsthand the world-class care we provide to Texas’ veterans. VA’s Waco facility is invaluable to veterans not just in Waco, but throughout the region.”

Waco’s recent designation as a Center for Excellence in outpatient post-traumatic stress disorder services also builds upon the services to be provided by Waco.

Nicholson also noted that the facility’s inpatient and outpatient services are important to residential care homes in the Waco area that care for veterans who do not need to be in an institution, but require outpatient services and periodically inpatient care.

“We have a vital partnership with our residential care homes, and we’re going to support them as they provide invaluable care to veterans,” the secretary added.

The secretary said VA will work through its ongoing planning process with the community and other partners to find ways now to use under-utilized portions of the Waco campus.

“I want to thank the local panel who advised us, along with many others, including the Texas congressional delegation, veterans groups, state and local leaders, other stakeholders and VA employees for their input into this important decision,” Nicholson said.

The study has been part of VA's Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES) program, a VA initiative to modernize facilities by matching projected demand for health services with programs and facilities through a comprehensive review of veterans' health care needs.

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Larry Scott