Veterans Affairs Medical Center Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Veterans Notified Of Potential Disclosure Of Personal Information

More than 2000 veterans are being notified of a potential disclosure of some personal information.

Appointment notifications for 2,380 veterans at the Martinsburg VA Medical Center were sent out to the wrong recipients in November.

The potential disclosure involves limited information, and no social security numbers or other identifying information were divulged.

In a press release, the Veterans Health Administration said the error was caused when Xerox Corporation, under contract to VA, experienced a printing error. The appointment notification postcards were generated by an application that converts information in a patient’s electronic health record to an easy-to read format, then prints, seals, and mails the postcards.

The application printed postcards addressed to patients that contained appointment scheduling and reminders for other patients. This was due to a misalignment, or improper match, of the content with the name and address of the appointment postcard recipient. The error was not identified for five days, but corrected notifications have already been sent.

Veterans who have questions or concerns about whether their personal information may have been involved and who receive health care at the Martinsburg VA Medical Center can call 1-855-429-7502

The Martinsburg VA Medical Center serves more than 70,000 Veterans across the four states of West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania.

VA Recommends Reducing W.Va. Services

West Virginia leaders are concerned plans to modernize the Veterans Affairs medical system will significantly reduce treatment options in the state.

In March, the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) presented recommendations to the Asset and Infrastructure Review (AIR) Commission to modernize services and address aging buildings within the VA health care system over the next decade.

Within those recommendations, three VA Medical Centers in West Virginia – The Beckley VA Medical Center, the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center in Clarksburg, and the Hershel “Woody” Williams VAMC in Huntington – would see a reduction in services.

In a press release Thursday, Ted Diaz, secretary of the West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance said, “I do not believe veterans should have to choose between living in communities they love and having reasonable access to health care.”

Diaz and his staff have called on West Virginia’s federal elected leaders in D.C. to oppose the recommendations.

Clarksburg and Huntington would have their emergency departments converted to urgent care centers. All three locations would no longer offer in-patient medical and surgical services. The VA says veterans can turn to other medical providers in their area for these services.

The VA will instead focus on community living centers for an aging regional veteran population.

The recommendations include building a new VAMC in Beckley to replace the current facility that dates to 1950, but upon reopening its focus would be on out-patient treatment.

The VA cited projected decreases in enrolled veterans through 2029 of between 12.5 percent and 15 percent in all three of the medical centers’ markets as justification for these recommendations.

Veterans Fear Effects of Trump's Hiring Freeze on VA Care

President Donald Trump’s recently announced hiring freeze for federal employees will affect vacancies across West Virginia’s four Veterans Affairs Medical Centers.

The Register-Herald reports that a government website advertising job vacancies within the VA lists 56 openings in West Virginia, including jobs for licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, physicians assistants, doctors and chiefs of staff. The site lists 1,200 VA openings nationwide.

Ron Jennings, a 43-year-old Beckley native and U.S. Army retiree, says he fears the hiring freeze will increase veterans’ wait time for health care services and force some veterans to have to travel to other VA hospitals.

Amy Graham, a spokeswoman for U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, says the hiring freeze is a “temporary measure” that will allow officials to fix ongoing problems within the VA.

Martinsburg Veterans Center Touts Its Short Wait Time

VA Hospitals across the country have been criticized for long wait times and not being accessible enough to veterans. But officials at the VA Medical Center in Martinsburg say they are serving veterans in a timely manner.

The Martinsburg Veterans Affairs Medical Center held a round table with media Tuesday to discuss what the center is working on – new programs, long term care, mental healthcare, and more.

Medical Center Director, Timothy Cooke says the Martinsburg VA ranks above the national average for accessibility. He says over 98% of veterans who come to the Martinsburg VA are seen within 30 days.

Cooke also says the VA is quickly developing its women’s health clinic with a focus on military sexual trauma. He says its homeless outreach and its in-home care are developing as well.

“It’s very hard sometimes for the veteran and the staff to hear the stories that are out there nationally, because they do see a difference. They do see that there is outstanding care being delivered,” Cooke noted.

Every three months, Cooke says the VA holds, “Town Hall” meetings where he invites veterans to come together and voice concerns and questions to the VA staff.

Senate Considers New Nursing Home for Veterans

State Senator Mike Green (D., 9th District) has introduced a bill to designate funds for the construction of a veterans skilled nursing facility in Beckley.

Senate Bill 523 proposes using money from the Veterans Facilities Support Fund and bonds provided by the West Virginia Hospital Finance Board.

The 120-bed veterans skilled nursing facility would be located on more than 17 acres adjacent to the Jackie Withrow Hospital, formerly known as Pinecrest Hospital.

In a news release Green said the center is needed because the one located in Clarksburg operates at full capacity and frequently has a waiting list.

The release says the state’s veteran population has now reached over 220,000 and there is overwhelming need for additional nursing home beds to accommodate veterans when they become unable to take care of themselves.

“The bill is a tangible demonstration of our appreciation for their sacrifices,” said Green.