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Date: 4/26/2022
NORTHAMPTON – On April 20, Massachusetts lawmakers gathered in a packed house at the Florence Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 8006 to hear stories from veterans about why the Edward P. Boland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Leeds should remain open.
Background
In the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Asset and Infrastructure Review report released on March 14, Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) Denis McDonough made recommendations on the structure of the VA’s resources nationwide, including retiring the Leeds facility. The report argues that the current facility is in “sub-optimal condition” and “does not meet current design standards.”
If the Leeds location were to close, then approximately 21,000 veterans who receive nursing home care and rehabilitation programs at the facility would have to find assistance elsewhere in West Haven, CT, eastern Massachusetts or Albany, NY.
Lawmakers gather
On April 20, Congressman Jim McGovern, Northampton Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra, state Sen. Jo Comerford, state Rep. Dan Carey, state Rep. Natalie Blais, state Rep. Mindy Domb, state Rep. Jacob Oliveira and a few Northampton councilors gathered to decry McDonough’s recommendations, as well as listen to the stories of veterans, who spoke soberly about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from their war experiences, and why the VA in Leeds was a lifesaver.
“We need to put our veterans’ interests and quality healthcare above every other consideration in sight to keep the Leeds facility open,” Sciarra said, during the testimonies. “I want to ensure everyone that I, and the city of Northampton will work hand-in-hand with local, state and federal officials to convince the Department of Veterans Affairs that the recommendations put forward in the Asset and Infrastructure Review report released last month are horribly, horribly wrong.”
According to Massachusetts lawmakers, closing the Leeds location would place an “incredible strain” on veterans and their loved ones, especially those who regularly deal with PTSD. Officials are also concerned that the closure recommendation does not accurately reflect the medical center’s current standing or future potential because the report relies on old data from fiscal year 2015 (FY15) to FY18.
“I am fed up to the ears with bureaucrats in Washington making decisions that are bad for veterans, bad for their families, and bad for our community,” said McGovern. “We’re not going to let this medical center close. We’re going to do everything we can to fight them.”
Aside from the gathering, nearly every member of the Massachusetts federal delegation signed a letter on April 14 to ask the Veterans Affairs office to reconsider their stance on closing the facility.
According to the letter – which is co-signed by Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Sen. Ed Markey and Massachusetts representatives – lawmakers said they will take their recommendations to President Joe Biden if they have to.
“Of particular concern is that many veterans would now need to travel at least two hours round trip to receive care at VA medical centers in West Haven, Connecticut; Eastern Massachusetts; or Albany, New York,” wrote the members in their letter to McDonough. “Due to health status, advanced age or lack of public transportation, far too many of the approximately 21,000 veterans who currently receive care at CWM VAMC [Central Western Massachusetts Veterans Administration Medical Center] would be unduly burdened.”
The Department of Veterans Affairs claimed that the Northampton VA hospital in Leeds would require $121 million in renovations, however, members of the federal delegation – including McGovern – said that these claims are outdated, arguing that over $108 million has already been utilized in completed or ongoing renovations and modernization projects at the facility. Additionally, nearly $93,000 in future upgrades are planned for the coming years.
During the informational session on April 20, McGovern said that the U.S. Veterans Affairs Department is planning a visit in Northampton to hear veteran testimonies. The congressman encouraged everyone to come up and speak when they do visit in the near future.
“Our veterans pledge to leave no soldier, sailor, Marine or airman behind,” McGovern said during the session on April 20. “Well, today I’m telling you when they return home, America’s pledge ought to be that we leave no veteran behind.”
The testimonies
A handful of veterans, some while fighting back tears, spoke pensively about their traumatic experiences while at war, and why the Northampton VA was so integral to their recovery back home. Many admitted that the Leeds facility saved their lives.
When Vietnam veteran Dave Kelliher had a health crisis a couple of months ago, the anxiety medication prescribed was not doing its job. As his health continued to deteriorate, Kelliher had to pivot. “Instead of committing suicide, I went to Leeds,” he said, during the testimonials. “I went in there, saw the fellow at the gate … I said, ‘I need some help.’”
Kelliher said he spent some time in building four on the lower level, and while there, the staff tended to all of his needs. The staff found issues with the medication originally prescribed to Kelliher and provided him with the caretaking and counseling he needed, before putting him on new medication.
“Without this service, would I be here today, or would I be dead on some side of some highway?” Kelliher said. “Without the Leeds hospital, I wouldn’t be here.”
Jim Bouchard, who was a Navy corpsman assigned to the Marines and serves as commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Post 875, was wounded in Vietnam. His son Joshua, who is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, was paralyzed and lost a leg while serving in Afghanistan. Bouchard said it is a “constant battle to keep [his son] alive,” as he also deals with constricted bronchitis and a bevy of appointments that are needed for recovery. Both Bouchard and his son have used Leeds as a resource since coming home.
If the Northampton location were to close, Bouchard said his son would not make it, because he is unable to travel to a place like West Haven, CT. to receive treatment, especially since his lungs are now failing from his time in Afghanistan.
“[The VA] saved my life, and they’re saving his life now,” said Bouchard, through tears. “I can’t bring him down to West Haven … he barely makes it here. Please, keep the VA here.”
McGovern said he will be sending a recording of all the testimonies heard during the Florence VFW gathering to the secretary of Veterans Affairs office.