VICTORY AT CASTLE POINT: AFTER MONTHS OF RELENTLESS PRESSURE ON TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, CONGRESSMAN PAT RYAN ANNOUNCES RE-OPENING OF INPATIENT BEDS AT CASTLE POINT VA
VICTORY AT CASTLE POINT: After Months of Relentless Pressure on Trump Administration, Congressman Pat Ryan Announces Re-Opening of Inpatient Beds at Castle Point VA
Following relentless pressure by Congressman Pat Ryan, Hudson Valley veterans and advocates, Castle Point VA re-opened its inpatient unit yesterday
When it was reported that in February that veterans could no longer receive acute inpatient care, including medical detoxification and substance abuse care at Castle Point, Congressman Ryan immediately raised the alarm; Ryan also led local veterans in speaking out and rallying against the closure, and wrote to VA leadership demanding urgent action to resume care
The closure came amid a litany of other attacks on veteran care by the Trump administration, including the mass firing of VA employees
WAPPINGERS FALLS, NY – Yesterday, after months of relentless pressure by Congressman Pat Ryan and other Hudson Valley veterans and advocates, Castle Point VA re-opened its inpatient care unit.
In February, when it was reported that veterans could no longer receive acute inpatient care including medical detoxification and substance abuse care at Castle Point, Congressman Ryan led local veterans in speaking out and rallying against the closure and demanding a reversal of the reduction in care at the only local VA. The closure came amid a litany of other attacks on veteran care by the Trump administration, including the mass firing of VA employees.
“We have a sacred duty to care for the veterans who’ve put their lives on the line for our country. When Trump’s VA closed down Castle Point’s inpatient unit, and fired thousands of VA workers, that sacred trust was fundamentally broken. It was deeply wrong, and deeply un-American. But our entire community fought back, and today, as Castle Point re-opens its doors to Hudson Valley veterans, I’m very proud to say that we won,” said Congressman Pat Ryan. “Our Hudson Valley community spoke up with one united voice and a clear message – we would not, not ever, stand for reductions in care for our veterans. This is a massive win for our community and for our country. Our veterans are heroes, and just like they fought for us, we must always answer the call to fight for them. We have a Patriotic duty to ensure that each and every veteran gets the care our country promised them.”
“The reopening of E2 Unit at Castle Point VA Hospital is welcome news for our local veterans, especially those who are experiencing trauma. This unit serves as a lifeline for our veterans between providing critical inpatient care and preparing veterans for rehabilitation,” said Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino. “Accessible mental health support is so important. Most of us don’t know or can’t imagine the trauma our service men and women experience on a daily basis and that is why accessible mental health support is so important for them. I am proud of how our community came together in support of this valuable resource, which has been vital to the well-being of so many of our veterans.”
“Too often our veterans suffer in silence. They’re the first to offer help, but the last to ask for help for themselves and their families. Our voices in this fight are for everyone who has worn the uniform,” said Tommy Zurhellen, Former Commander, VFW Post 170 and Founder of VetZero, a veteran service program in Poughkeepsie. “But we need everyday citizens as well. This isn’t just a veterans issue, it is a Hudson Valley issue. ‘Thank you for your service’ is great, but when veterans are under attack, we need actions, not just words. I am grateful for Congressman Ryan’s support and advocacy, and proud of our entire Hudson Valley community for standing up and not backing down.”
“It is a relief to know that the inpatient emergency mental health unit will reopen at Castle Point. It never should have been closed in the first place,” said Malia DuMont, an Army veteran and Chair of Congressman Ryan's Veterans and Military Families Advisory Board. “There is no equivalent in the private sector that could replace this critical resource for veterans who are suffering. Veterans need veteran-specific care, and the VA is the only place that can provide high-quality care to those in need.”
“When Castle Point closed, our Hudson Valley veterans community stood strong and united with a forceful message: won’t stand by while they come after our health care,” said Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa, a Marine Corps veteran. “Our veterans have made untold sacrifices for our country, and it’s on all of us to fight on their behalf. I am proud that our voices were heard, and grateful for Congressman Ryan’s leadership in ensuring that no Hudson Valley veteran gets left behind.”
“The reopening of the E2 unit at Castle Point VA stands as a beacon of hope for our veterans in Dutchess County,” said Adam Roche of Dutchess County Veteran Services. “It represents a commitment to healing, a sanctuary where our heroes can receive the care they deserve. In a world where quality of care matters, this unit is a vital lifeline, ensuring that no veteran is ever left behind.”
“As a Veteran who utilizes Castle Point services, and an advocate for Veterans in Dutchess County who are receiving services, I was strongly against the decision to close this unit. The re-opening shows the power of our Veteran community standing strong together,” said Alyssa Carrion, Veterans Program Director, Veterans Services, MHA Dutchess County. “In my line of work, Veterans come to us at their lowest. We have Veteran services to provide the best possible care to those who have served our country, and closing this ward was in no way in line with those values. We will never be silent when services are taken away from our community and will fight every time to ensure the best care possible for our Vets.”
“I was very happy to hear that the E-2 unit at Castle Point will reopen,” said Bob Browning, Air Force Veteran and Member of Congressman Ryan's Veterans and Military Families Advisory Board “Our veterans deserve the best, and Castle Point will provide the best.”
“The reopening of Castle Point’s E-2 unit is a necessary step to ensure Hudson Valley veterans have access to the care they’ve earned,” said Aaron Leonard, retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, CEO of Guardian Revival, and Member of Congressman Ryan’s Veterans and Military Families Advisory Board. “When the unit closed, it created a serious gap in services that our community could not ignore. We appreciate Congressman Ryan’s leadership and the collective effort that brought this facility back online. Guardian Revival remains committed to working alongside VA Hudson Valley and local partners to make sure veterans and their families are never left without the support they need.”
“The Hudson Valley celebrates and honor the Veterans through events, activities, and services that recognize their selfness and sacrifice,” said Gavin Walters of Vet2Vet of Ulster and Greene Counties. “Their care from the VA should mirror what the Hudson Valley does, and it shouldn’t be hindered or paused due to the VA inability to provide adequate services because when someone decides to take their life, they don’t pause because of inconveniences. So, knowing there are one less pause in the resources and services available to our Veterans is another life saved.”
On February 4th, following initial 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. Congressman Ryan then sent 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 escalating his 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.”
Now, nearly eight months later and following relentless pressure by Congressman Ryan and local veterans and advocates, Castle Point VA has finally re–opened the doors to its inpatient unit to the Hudson Valley veteran community.
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.
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