William Feeley is in charge of all of Upstate New York's VA Medical Centers. He spoke to R NEWS for the first time Friday.

Feeley provided the input for the plan that calls to close the Canandaigua VA.

He told us he understands the veterans' concerns about his proposal, but says it will only improve their healthcare in the long run.

The plan calls to move more than 200 inpatient beds to other upstate facilities while opening an outpatient facility in Canandaigua.

Where that facility will go will be determined only if this redeployment of in-patient beds is approved. All current outpatient services would be continued.

"They would not only be continued but they would be strengthened and expanded," said Feeley.

Feeley used to run the Buffalo-Batavia VA centers and some believe he's sparing the Batavia facility out of favoritism.

Feeley argues, after five years: closing Batavia would cost almost 2 million dollars a year. Closing Canandaigua would 20 million-a-year.

"You can buy a lot more healthcare with 20 million dollars to serve all the veterans in upstate New York." " Objectivity was the criteria in making this decision, not favoritism."

Many veterans remain outraged over the location of a public hearing on this plan. It's scheduled for September 19th in Syracuse. Many wonder why so far away.

"It's the central location for all stakeholders to come together and offer their input. The actions in the draft 'cares' plan impacts four of five facilities, not just one institution."

If the Canandaigua VA closes, more than 700-employees would be affected.

Feeley says many will have the option of transferring to other facilities or staying at the outpatient facility that would open in Canandaigua.

Positions will also be added at the Rochester outpatient facility. "I would be committed to making sure employees in Canandaigua would be given first preference for any vacancies that occur in Upstate New York."

Feeley says right now 30-percent of the Canandaigua campus is underutilized.

If the VA center leaves the campus, Feeley is convinced that space would be put to good use. "Like in any cultural transformation, this change is very difficult. If this should occur, I'm confident that the community of Canandaigua may have other functions on those grounds that would bring dollars and worth to the economy and the community."

Feeley reminded us that this proposal is still only that.

He says those who want to give their opinion should show up at the public hearing in Syracuse or write to the Cares Commission. Cares Commission Dept. of Veterans Affairs 810 Vermont Ave. NW Washington DC 20420 Or email the commission at: commission@mail.va.gov

The New Plan - David Smith 

I am writing to clarify some of the misunderstandings regarding the Draft National CARES Plan and how, if approved by the CARES Commission and ultimately, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Plan would impact the Canandaigua VA MedicalCenter.   These service enhancements could include:

Expanded primary and specialty care to meet the workload utilization demand for veterans in the Finger Lakes Submarket.  Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC) in Rochester and Canandaigua could offer the full continuum of outpatient primary and specialty care.  These clinics could include Day Treatment, PTSD treatment services, and Incentive Therapy programs. Exploring the expansion of services at the Rochester CBOC to include ambulatory surgery, colonoscopy, minor surgery and other procedures requiring conscious sedation. Providing local nursing home care, through the development of community partnerships or contracts for veterans residing in the Finger Lakes Submarket.  No veteran will be moved to Bath or Batavia for nursing home care provided that the care is available in the community.

Expanded home-based geriatric care options involving a “high touch, high tech” approach in recognition of the desire for personalized care while minimizing the need for nursing home placement through expanded home-based primary care.

Provide for emergency acute psychiatric inpatient care through the development of local partnerships or contracts for veterans residing in the Finger Lakes Submarket.

Replicating our positive experience in partnering with the F.F. Thompson Hospital for emergency and inpatient medical care through the development of similar relationships with other community providers of emergency and inpatient medical care in the Finger Lakes Submarket.   

Under the Plan, veterans residing in the Finger Lakes Submarket would not have to travel to other VA’s for routine primary care, most outpatient specialty care, Day Treatment, PTSD treatment, and Adult Day Health Care.  Travel to other VA’s would be required only for very specialized services not routinely available in the community and for major surgical procedures requiring and inpatient stay.  

The Draft Plan has been submitted to the CARES Commission for stakeholder review and comment.  The CARES Commission will then submit their final plan to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on November 30, 2003, who will then sign off on the Plan entirely or not at all. 

Health care delivery continues to change at a rapid pace due to advancements made in medicine and research.   The global environment also continues to change and impact our daily lives.  If the VA health care system is to remain viable and meet the needs of the veteran in the 21^st century we will need to change and adapt the way we provide health care in this rapidly changing environment.

I hope this message has provided a better understanding of the Draft National CARES Plan and its potential impact on the Canandaigua VA Medical Center.

W. David Smith

Medical Center Director