CONGRESSMAN RYAN CONTINUES FIGHT FOR VETERANS’ HEALTHCARE, ESCALATES URGENT DEMAND FOR VA LEADERSHIP TO RE-OPEN 20 INPATIENT BEDS AT CASTLE POINT
Congressman Ryan Continues Fight for Veterans’ Healthcare, Escalates Urgent Demand for VA Leadership to Re-Open 20 Inpatient Beds at Castle Point
Last week it was reported that, due to the closure of 20 inpatients beds, veterans could no longer receive acute inpatient care, including medical detoxification and substance abuse care at Castle Point
Following reports announcing the closure, Congressman Ryan rallied with local veterans and bipartisan colleagues in sounding the alarm and demanding that Hudson Valley veterans not experience a lapse in care
KINGSTON, NY – Today, Congressman Pat Ryan continued his fight for veterans’ healthcare, issuing an urgent demand to Department of Veterans Affairs leadership to re-open all 20 inpatient beds at the Castle Point VA. In a letter to Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISN) 2 Director Joan McInerney, who oversees all administrative and clinical activities for the VA medical centers in the region, Congressman Ryan, alongside the Hudson Valley veteran community, escalated the demand that Castle Point “take all necessary steps to immediately reopen this unit and ensure that no service reductions take effect on a permanent basis.” On February 4th, following reporting that veterans could no longer receive acute inpatient care – including medical detoxification and substance abuse care – at the Castle Point VA, Congressman Ryan rallied with local veterans and advocates to oppose the closure.
“The lack of transparency right now is both outrageous and insulting. Our veterans are heroes, and they have fulfilled their oath. I will not and cannot tolerate the VA not fulfilling theirs.” said Congressman Pat Ryan. “The Hudson Valley veteran community is rightfully up in arms, and it’s on all of us to join the fight. We will not stand by and let the VA turn their back on our veterans.”
“This is absolutely unacceptable. I know how valuable this unit is because I've witnessed firsthand the unbelievable care that the nurses and doctors provide there, and how much they truly care,” said Adam Roche of Dutchess County Veteran Services. “If we allow this step to be taken, they will keep coming back for more. We will not settle when it comes to care for our veterans. This has to stop now.”
“As a Veteran who utilizes Castle Point services, and an advocate for Veterans in Dutchess County who are receiving services, I wholeheartedly disagree with this decision and the secretive nature around it,” said Alyssa Carrion, Veterans Program Director, Veterans Services, MHA Dutchess County, Pleasant Valley. “When a Veteran comes to us at their lowest, they know we will transport and sit with them at Castle Point until admitted to detox before being transferred to care at Montrose or another VA facility. During this time, we visit the Vets and keep them encouraged and focused on recovery. What now? Where do they go that is a Veteran safe space for their care? We have Veteran services to provide the best possible care to those who have served our country, and closing this ward is in no way in line with those values.
"This would be a disastrous decision for the thousands of veterans in the Hudson Valley who depend on the VA for healthcare. Our veterans desperately need more healthcare options, not less. They earned it. We can all agree our veterans have made incredible sacrifices for our nation, yet they are being given cutbacks and empty promises in return,” said Tommy Zurhellen, Former Commander, VFW Post 170 and Founder of VetZero, a veteran service program in Poughkeepsie. “Simply put, losing the acute care unit at our Hudson Valley VA hospital puts the lives of our veterans and their families at risk. At the VA, our veterans rely on medical professionals who understand the unique health challenges of the men and women who have been exposed to burn pits, agent orange, toxic chemicals and biologic weapons, and more. This decision puts thousands of lives at risk, but perhaps even more distressing, it sends a stark message to our veterans: we don't care about you and your family. I know I speak for my fellow veterans advocates here in the Hudson Valley when I say, please stop this horrible decision."
“This closure is unacceptable for our veterans because we need to be removing barriers to care, not creating more,” said Mark Cozzupoli, Director of Ulster County Veteran Services. “We are aware of this closure, and we’ve already had to adjust as we seek ways to continue serving our local at-risk veterans. Further, this closure puts more strain on all other resources necessary to serve the thousands of local veterans in need.”
"I'm very concerned about the recent decision to temporarily close the Acute Inpatient Unit at Castle Point VA Medical Center. This unit provides critical, life saving care to our veterans that is vital in preparing them for the next phase of treatment and rehabilitation,” said Peter Maraday, Hudson Valley Regional Manager, Clear Path for Veterans. “This care is performed in an environment that provides our Hudson Valley Heroes comfort and security knowing they are being treated by staff that understands the unique nature of their background and needs. I respectfully request that the leadership at Castle Point VA reconsider their recent decision to temporarily shut down the E2 Unit and continue providing the excellent care our veteran community has come to expect and appreciate."
“As a Veteran that utilizes Hudson Valley VA services, I can personally say the impact of any departmental closure within the Hudson VA would be significant for veterans in the Hudson Valley, particularly those who rely on Castle Point for critical healthcare services,” said Gavin Walters of Vet2Vet of Ulster and Greene Counties. “Many veterans face transportation challenges, financial constraints, and service-related health issues that make access to care essential. A closure to any department would not only disrupt continuity of care but could also lead to increased hardship and negative health outcomes for those who have sacrificed so much for our country.”
“Once again, we see Veterans living in rural communities subjected to potential cuts and closures at Castle Point. Directly affecting their healthcare and quality of life by reducing access to critical services. These cuts not only impact the Veteran, they impact the Hudson Valley,” said Kevin Keaveny, President of the Hudson Valley Center for Veteran Reintegration. “Where do these Veterans go if potential cuts move forward? Community care? Our region struggles to resource medical and mental health professionals as it is. “Dumping” our Veterans into a healthcare system that is already overburdened is not the answer. Castle Point is not a convenience, it is a necessity for Veterans living in the Hudson Valley. At what point do we say enough is enough?”
The letter demands the immediate re-opening of the acute inpatient care unit at Castle Point VAMC, as well as a guarantee that the present reduction in care has no chance of becoming permanent. Congressman Ryan expressed his office’s willingness to assist Castle Point with any staffing issues that may arise in the interim following the departure of the unit’s physician.
Congressman Pat Ryan is a U.S. Army veteran, served two combat tours in Iraq, and is the first West Point graduate to represent the Academy in the U.S. House of Representatives. He sits on the House Armed Services Committee and has prioritized sponsoring and cosponsoring extensive legislation to deliver relief for veterans, service members, and military families.
A copy of Ryan’s letter to Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISN) 2 Director Joan McInerney appears below:
Dear Director McInerney,
I write to express my deep outrage and frustration over the closure of the acute inpatient unit at Castle Point Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) in Dutchess County, New York. Countless veterans in our community rely on this facility for critical services, like medical detoxification and substance abuse care, that have now been ripped away. These services are vital for our most vulnerable veterans. These heroes fulfilled their oath, I will not tolerate you not fulfilling yours. I request that you take all necessary steps to immediately reopen this unit and ensure that no service reductions take effect on a permanent basis.
Castle Point VAMC is an essential lifeline for veterans in Dutchess County and across the Hudson Valley. These men and women who have served in our nation’s armed forces deserve accessible, high-quality medical care as part of our commitment to honoring their sacrifices. The only VAMC in New York’s 18th Congressional District, Castle Point serves over 7,000 veterans and spans three counties, 81 municipalities, and over 2,000 square miles from New Jersey to Connecticut. Closing the acute inpatient unit at Castle Point forces veterans to travel unreasonably long distances for treatment, creates undue hardship, and potentially deters them from seeking the care they need. It also forces them to seek care from private providers who may lack the specialized capabilities of a VAMC like Castle Point. This is a terrifying and unacceptable prospect for our heroes.
Accordingly, I request that you take immediate action to reopen the acute inpatient unit and preserve the full suite of medical services for veterans, and I stand ready to work with you on interim solutions to any staffing issues. In addition to working to immediately reopen the acute inpatient unit, I seek your reassurances that you will take no actions to permanently close this unit in the future. It’s concerning enough that veterans are going without care today and in the coming weeks – any uncertainty about whether this reduction will be permanent is absolutely unacceptable.
We have a sacred duty to care for veterans who have put their lives on the line for our country. The closure of this unit is a fundamental breach of that duty. On behalf of the 40,000 veterans in NY-18 and the thousands more across the Hudson Valley, I reiterate my demand for immediate action to reopen the acute inpatient unit at Castle Point.
I look forward to hearing your plans for reopening this unit and preserving high-quality care for Hudson Valley veterans.
Sincerely,
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