Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.

SAVE THE SOLDIERS' HOME: Call the Gov. at 1-888-870-7770

Date: 11/25/2009

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor



HOLYOKE -- Contrary to written reports that action by the Legislature saved the outpatient clinic at the Holyoke Soldiers' Home, the funding for the clinic will only be restored if Gov. Deval Patrick approves the legislation.

Kris Lecca, the veteran's agent for the city of Holyoke, challenged the statements made by the spokesman of the Office of Health and Human Services that the state is working for a smooth transition in making sure the affected 2,000 area veterans continue to get the health care they need.

The outpatient clinic is scheduled to close Dec. 1 and Lecca called the closing "a slap in the face to every man and woman who served their country."

According to Juan Martinez, the spokesman for the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, state officials have been working with other health providers to ensure that veterans will have a continuity of care.

Lecca said that she has seen no evidence of any state involvement.

"I haven't seen anyone come out and discuss it with anyone," she said.

As far as any new providers, Lecca said the only option being told veterans is to go to Holyoke Health Center on Maple Street.

Martinez said the governor has not made a decision about the legislation and there is no specific timetable for his approval or veto.

Martinez said more than 90 percent of the affected vets have some sort of health insurance and if they don't, they can see the veteran's agent in their town or city and enroll in MassHealth.

Lecca said the reality isn't as easy as that. MassHealth is for people who are earning a maximum of $800 a month, she explained. Many vets are in an income bracket about that level. She said she is currently fighting MassHealth officials over an enrollment of a veteran.

What state officials aren't considering, Lecca said, is the increase of veterans coming into the system from the current Middle Eastern conflicts.

Lecca believes the state is "banking" on vets using the medical services of the Veterans Administration Center in Leeds. She said while that is a fine facility, it could not handle an influx of the number of vets who received care at the Soldiers' Home.

To send a message to the governor in support of the Soldiers' Home, Lecca is urging people to call the governor's office at 1-888-870-7770 in Boston or at the Springfield office at 784-1200.

At the annual Legislative Reception hosted by the Affiliated Chamber of Commerce of Greater Springfield, State Rep. Rosemary Sandlin told Reminder Publications the issue is "very urgent" and said she is not sure if Patrick will approve the return of $500,000 of the $900,000 in cut funding.

State Rep. Joseph Wagner said. The governor made a mistake in cutting money from the Soldiers' Home."

Wagner also criticized the Home's Board of Trustees in how they handled the situation and "were not part of the solution."

In a written statement, State Rep. Angelo Puppolo praised the action of Holyoke State Rep. Michael Kane in pushing the legislation forward.

"It was unconscionable for the governor to cut this money essentially allowing the outpatient clinic to languish and close," Puppolo stated.