Some local candidates and veterans teamed up to demand answers from the Fort Wayne VA hospital.
On Tuesday, the VA abruptly stopped inpatient services.
And while officials say the move is temporary, many aren't so sure.
Democrats Kevin Boyd and Tom Keen say the VA's explanation was vague, and didn't really answer why it shut down ICU and Acute Medical Unit care.
Even those it's being called a "pause," they're worried it might become permanent.
Local democrats demanded answers from the Fort Wayne Veterans Administration.
Tuesday, VA Hospital officials shut down inpatient services.
They say it is 'temporary,' but did not say for how long.
Something democratic congressional candidate Boyd says he wants to know.
"Part of the reason for the closure, as they say, is to do more training and to fix the leadership problem. But I'd like to see a time line of when they plan to have these inaccuracies address and how they're going to reopen the services for our veterans," Boyd says.
Democratic state senate candidate Keen says he's seen it before.
"Back in 2004, they tried to close the hospital; first by closing inpatient services and leading outpatient services. And we were fortunate back then. Veterans got together and rallied for support. And they kept the hospital open," Keen says.
The pair held a rally at Lakeside Park today, calling out Boyd's opponent in the election, Republican incumbent Marlin Stutzman.
Stutzman sits on the House Veteran's Affairs Committee, and the democrats say he should have known about the issue.
Today, Congressman Stutzman released a statement.
He said-
"I have maintained an open dialogue with VA officials both on the ground and at high levels. Michael Finegan, the director of inpatient and outpatient health care in our region, has assured me that this is a temporary pause, undertaken for a public health evaluation focusing on the safety of our veterans. This community deserves nothing less than complete transparency from VA officials. Neither bureaucratic red-tape nor political posturing ensures the wellbeing of our veterans. Preserving quality inpatient care at our local VA continues to be one of my highest priorities and I will continue working to see that the VA resolves this matter in a timely and open fashion."
WFFT spoke with VA officials today.
Public Affairs Officer Cheryl Grubb says inpatient services at the hospital will reopen, but right now, there is no time line.
WFFT spoke with a few people at the rally today.
Several told me they had to fight back in 2004 to keep the hospital open then, and say they're ready to fight again if necessary.
On Tuesday, the VA abruptly stopped inpatient services.
And while officials say the move is temporary, many aren't so sure.
Democrats Kevin Boyd and Tom Keen say the VA's explanation was vague, and didn't really answer why it shut down ICU and Acute Medical Unit care.
Even those it's being called a "pause," they're worried it might become permanent.
Local democrats demanded answers from the Fort Wayne Veterans Administration.
Tuesday, VA Hospital officials shut down inpatient services.
They say it is 'temporary,' but did not say for how long.
Something democratic congressional candidate Boyd says he wants to know.
"Part of the reason for the closure, as they say, is to do more training and to fix the leadership problem. But I'd like to see a time line of when they plan to have these inaccuracies address and how they're going to reopen the services for our veterans," Boyd says.
Democratic state senate candidate Keen says he's seen it before.
"Back in 2004, they tried to close the hospital; first by closing inpatient services and leading outpatient services. And we were fortunate back then. Veterans got together and rallied for support. And they kept the hospital open," Keen says.
The pair held a rally at Lakeside Park today, calling out Boyd's opponent in the election, Republican incumbent Marlin Stutzman.
Stutzman sits on the House Veteran's Affairs Committee, and the democrats say he should have known about the issue.
Today, Congressman Stutzman released a statement.
He said-
"I have maintained an open dialogue with VA officials both on the ground and at high levels. Michael Finegan, the director of inpatient and outpatient health care in our region, has assured me that this is a temporary pause, undertaken for a public health evaluation focusing on the safety of our veterans. This community deserves nothing less than complete transparency from VA officials. Neither bureaucratic red-tape nor political posturing ensures the wellbeing of our veterans. Preserving quality inpatient care at our local VA continues to be one of my highest priorities and I will continue working to see that the VA resolves this matter in a timely and open fashion."
WFFT spoke with VA officials today.
Public Affairs Officer Cheryl Grubb says inpatient services at the hospital will reopen, but right now, there is no time line.
WFFT spoke with a few people at the rally today.
Several told me they had to fight back in 2004 to keep the hospital open then, and say they're ready to fight again if necessary.
