Associated Press Published

Veterans Crisis Center Coming to Clarksburg

Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center

The long delays for veterans seeking medical care at VA hospitals have prompted The American Legion to plan a short-term crisis center in Clarksburg.

The veterans’ organization will open a “crisis command center” at the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center on Aug. 5 and 6. A town hall meeting is set for Aug. 4 at American Legion Post 31 in Shinnston.

The organization made earlier stops in St. Louis, El Paso, Texas; Fayetteville, North Carolina; and Phoenix.

A federal audit found that the average wait time at the Clarksburg VA Center is 54 for new patients seeking a primary care doctor, 86 days for a specialist and 96 days for mental health services.

Medical center director Beth Brown has said her data showed waiting periods far below those figures.