Improving the VA Medical Center

Every year on Veterans Day, the nation pauses to recognize and honor all the men and women, living and dead, who took up arms in defense of America. Our nation owes Veterans a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid. It’s our duty – not just on Veterans Day, but every day – to remember the sacrifices they’ve made and to make certain that our commitments to them and to their families are honored. And that duty is most especially important to those of us privileged to serve Veterans at VA, as well as here at the Walla Walla VA Medical Center.

There have been many changes at the local Veterans Affairs Medical Center in the last ten years. In the 2002-2004 timeframe, there was a serious threat that the Walla Walla VA Medical Center would discontinue providing care to the area Veterans. Then, in 2006-2008, those fears seemed to be confirmed with the closing of the inpatient service, urgent/emergent care unit, and finally the closing of the long term care beds. In reality, it positioned the facility to be more in line with the transformative delivery model in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). 

In 1995, the delivery model began a transition from a hospital-based system to a primary care/ambulatory care driven system. The mission change to provide access to VA services through multiple community based clinics and programs provided new opportunities for service to Veterans. Locally here in Walla Walla, these opportunities are evident on the site of the old Fort Walla Walla with construction of new buildings used by the VA to care for Veterans, the renovation of the historic Officers’ Quarters by Catholic Charities to create housing for homeless Veterans, and the massive undertaking by the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs to build an 80-bed State Veterans Nursing Home. These partnerships with the community to serve Veterans are now being further perpetuated by recent legislation creating the opportunities for Veterans to receive more care in the local community.

Legislation passed in Congress and signed by President Obama into law on August 7, 2014, which has already included three updates, are commonly referred to as “Veteran’s Choice” legislation. These laws created the opportunity for many Veterans to receive more services closer to their homes and provided by the local medical community. Avoiding the need to travel hundreds of miles for specialty and more complex care is very important to the area Veterans. For the Veterans that live in this relatively rural part of the country, each subsequent change to the law is making this more of an appealing reality. Because of this clear benefit to the Veteran, the staff at the Walla Walla VA Medical Center has embraced this legislation and is working diligently to implement legislated improvements to make this a more efficient process and satisfying experience for the Veterans. It is our hope on this Veterans Day that the community partnerships we have witnessed in the last few years will flourish and continue to grow as we join forces to meet the needs of those who served our country.

In 1865, President Lincoln directed us to care for those “who shall have borne the battle,” and for their families and their survivors. Today — more than 150 years later — our commitment to that most noble mission remains vibrant and palpable at VA. The Walla Walla VA Medical Center thanks all Veterans for their service and sacrifice — may we never forget that freedom is not free.

And if you’re in the Walla Walla area on Friday, November 6th, the Walla Walla VA Medical Center is holding a special event to honor our local Veterans in the VA’s Theater Bldg. (77 Wainwright Drive) starting at 10:30 am. Come help us honor the Veterans that live in our communities!