From The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 7/13/05:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05194/537136.stm
Vets to sue to get documents on hospital cutback
The American Civil Liberties Union announced it has filed a suit
against the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, alleging the VA
refuses to release records about hospital closings unless it is paid
$17,000 in fees.
The ACLU, which filed the suit on behalf of area veterans, said the VA
is violating the federal Freedom of Information Act.
A news conference was planned today to discuss the lawsuit.
Valerie Cortazzo, a veteran who receives service-connected disability
benefits and an official of the Coalition of Veterans Advocates, said
the suit challenges planned cutbacks in VA medical services here.
"... we think that at this crucial time, when there are hundreds of
soldiers returning from overseas and needing care, the VA is leaving
veterans behind," she said in a news release.
In May 2004, the VA decided to close the largest of Pittsburgh's three
area hospitals, located on Highland Drive, claiming that the
consolidation of health care services was necessary and would save
money but would not diminish medical and mental health services to
area veterans.
Local veterans groups were skeptical of the VA's claims and filed a
Freedom of Information request in June 2004 for documents that the VA
relied on to support its actions.
In a series of responses, the VA agreed to disclose the documents, but
refused to waive processing fees, the ACLU said.
Initially, the VA demanded the local veterans group pay $30,369, and
then reduced the fee to $17,238.
The veterans say that is still unaffordable.
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Another example of Georgie AWOL Bush "supporting our troops"
Harry
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