Broken Promises: One Local Group's Fight to Keep the VA Hospital Open

When people think of the VA Hospital, usually the first thing that comes to mind is veterans, right? Well, most people are unaware that the future of the VA Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana is all but secure. There's a very special group of local veterans known as Veterans for Better Health Care that want to make sure all of our local vets are taken care of today and in the future, and that the VA Hospital not only stays put, but also runs at full capacity.

Who takes care of those that come back from war with physical and mental disabilities? Easy question to answer, right? Or, at least it should be. There's been a battle going on going on right here in Ft. Wayne. In 2004, the VA Hospital at 2121 Lake Avenue, serving 14 counties, closed down most of the in-patient unit, due to questionable budget cuts.

Their surgical department has also seen heavy setbacks. If a vet requires an emergency surgery they have to drive to the Indianapolis VA Hospital, more than 100 miles away. But, there's a local group of dedicated veterans known as the Veterans for Better Health Care, which want to see things chance. And soon.

Founded in 2005, Veterans for Better Health Care is a not-for-profit, bipartisan group with a current core membership of ten, veteran and non-veteran, members.

"It's been an uphill battle but, we're not going away." says ex-Congressional hopeful and group member, Doctor Tom Hayhurst. "The veterans' administration said we're not going to shut down the VA, and we will not close down the in-patient beds until a suitable replacement had been arranged. Nothing was ever developed." The VA has decreased the number of in-house beds from 243 down to just 28.

"That's just not good enough!" says VBHC Co-founder Michael Tucker. "People need to call their Senator, the Governor, and the Mayor and hound them about the hospital. When asked about the group's non-profit stance, largely funded by donations, he added, "We tell people that are trying to recruit into us, we don't want your money, all we want is your voice." Membership is completely free.