VA HOSPITALS CAN HELP WEST VIRGINIA IN EMERGENCIES - Federal Policy Changed

(03/03/2003)

The US Veterans Affairs Medical Centers in West Virginia can now provide medical assistance to non-veterans during emergencies. The West Virginia agreement, which is the first of its kind in the nation, was signed by state Health and Human Resources Secretary Paul Nusbaum and the representatives from the West Virginia's four Veterans Affairs Medical Centers. State and Veterans Affairs officials were first asked by US Senator Jay Rockefeller almost three years ago to find a way to allow Veterans Affairs to assist emergency response teams. Rockefeller says that during the floods of 2001, Veterans Affairs Medical Centers were unable to provide the state's emergency services because of federal red tape. Now the state's VA hospitals can provide vaccines supplies, medications, doctors, nurses and mental health care professionals to any West Virginian affected by disaster.

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