About two years ago I posted this about a possible VA Hospital in Harriman, TN. That proposal was declined.
Stories at the time failed to garner any attention: http://www.wate.com/story/17351274/harriman-mayor-trying-to-add-va-hospital-to-east-tennessee
I'm bringing it up again because of the recent scandal involving the Veterans Administration. It seems they can't handle the number of veterans needing their assistance at VA Hospitals across the country.
True, they have certain internal policies and staffing issues that need to be addressed in the very near future, but it seems to me a few more hospitals would ease the burden.
That's why it aggravates me to no end to know that there is a perfectly good hospital building, recently vacated, sitting in Harriman, Tennessee that the city has offered to the VA for $1 a year!
Harriman's Roane Medical Center closed last year and moved operations to a brand new facility in Midtown (about 5.3 miles away), which centralizes their services to Roane, Morgan, Rhea, and other areas in East Tennessee. There is nothing wrong with the old facility, and would make a great hospital for VA services.
City Officials offered the facility to the VA and they came and toured, but declined the one dollar a year lease offer.
Frankly, especially after the recent scandal, the area is shocked! Why is this perfectly fine facility not being used, when there clearly is a dire need for doctors, beds, and services? It is estimated that this Roane County facility could serve up to 100,000 veterans in Anderson,
Blount, Cumberland, Knox, Loudon, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Rhea,
Roane and Scott counties, and save them hours of driving and fuel costs driving to get help.
And, it's true, Harriman needs the help in bringing money and commerce into the area, but when there is a clear need for this VA facility, it's a win, win, for everyone.
If you read this, please try and get the word out to congressmen, both city, state, and nationally about this issue. It seems this is one way to stand up for our servicemen!
Here are a few places to start getting attention to this problem:
Don't forget Facebook and other social media pages. Spread the word far and wide!
