NBC11: McNerney fights to save Livermore VA

NOTE: James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, resigned today.

From NBC11:

Congressman Jerry McNerney, D-Pleasanton, met with U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs James Nicholson last week to discuss the possibility of opening an inpatient psychiatric facility at the Livermore Veteran's Affairs Medical Center.

Andy Stone, communications director for McNerney's office, said Tuesday that Nicholson has expressed interest in the idea and would likely make a decision on the proposal soon.

McNerney envisions a facility that would provide patients with a peaceful refuge in which to receive treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury, according to a letter he sent to Nicholson.

According to a the U.S. Department of Defense's Task Force on Mental Health, the two illnesses are the "signature injuries" of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The task force reported that more recent data indicated that 38 percent of U.S. Army soldiers, 31 percent of U.S. Marines and 49 percent of members of the U.S. National Guard reported experiencing psychological symptoms after combat deployment. Psychological concerns are also significantly higher among service members who are repeatedly deployed, a rapidly growing number of military personnel, according to the report.

Meanwhile, the Livermore hospital, which "sits on a peaceful, serene hillside nestled in the foothills to the south of Livermore," according to McNerney, has been slated for closure.

The Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services commission recommended in 2004 that the 30-bed facility be moved to Palo Alto.

The commission, which was working under former Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony Principi, recommended that the 150-bed nursing home facility, however, remain open.

For background on Congressman McNerney's efforts to keep the Livermore facility open (as well as other blog posts related to Veterans Affairs), click here.