"That's great news. They're starting to back down a little bit, and now they have to go all the way and give our men and women in the service - the ones who gave so much to our country - the care they need," said Ralph Calabrese of Canandaigua, a Korean War veteran and longtime veterans advocate. The Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Service - or CARES - Commission recommended in early August that the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Canandaigua be closed, setting off a torrent of protest. The Canandaigua VA, a 70-year-old facility, is home to 200 veterans and treats 15,000 outpatients annually. With about 800 jobs, it is one of the largest employers in Ontario County.

Principi has said he would either accept or reject as a whole the commission's report, which is due by the end of the year. But on Wednesday, after meeting with New England lawmakers, he indicated he may weigh in on specific recommendations about which he has questions.

"If there are facilities I have a question about, I will meet with commission members, explain my concerns on whether it is appropriate to close this facility or change the mission of this facility, and then I will come to some final decision," Principi said.

"I think it makes sense to do that," said Assemblyman Brian M. Kolb, R-129 of Canandaigua. "I think it's a good idea that he's at least suggesting he's open to that. I think this gives us a little bit of hope that he's going to actually scrutinize the entire plan, because there is fault within the plan."

Principi pledged Sept. 11 that he would visit the Ontario County facility before announcing any decision; he is expected to decide on the recommendations by Dec. 30.

"I'm glad he's coming around," said Sen. Charles Schumer, a Democrat. "If ever there were a candidate to get a second look, it's Canandaigua. The secretary told me that he's getting more flak about this hospital than any other, so my message to the community is to keep up the pressure." The VA last year treated some 4 million patients at its 181 major health care delivery locations around the country. Under a draft plan for a 20-year transformation of those facilities, seven hospitals would close, new hospitals would open in Las Vegas and in Orlando, Fla., and services at others would change.

As with military base closings, lawmakers do not want to see facilities in their states or districts shut down. Calabrese said he has been pleased by the unified support of local elected officials regardless of their political parties.

Principi said there are many aging, costly facilities around the country and that money saved by closing one can pay to expand services for veterans in need.