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SUNNY Temp: 51 °F Wind: WSW at 3 mph Thursday, October 2, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine Joy Magazine Tempo A & E RogueValleyAutoFinder RogueValleyHomeFinder Real Estate Showcase Wellness Connection Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Employment Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend September 30, 2003 VA hearing begins at 1 Friday By PAUL FATTIG Mail Tribune U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Anthony Principi is expected to make a decision by year’s end on whether the inpatient facility at the former VA domiciliary at White City will be closed. That decision will take into consideration the results of Friday’s public hearing in Medford to consider ending inpatient services at the facility now known as the VA’s Southern Oregon Rehabilitation Center and Clinic, said spokesman Bill Petrocine. The session begins at 1 p.m. at the Army National Guard Armory. A dozen people selected by the VA will testify at the hearing. Advertisement The public is invited to attend, but only those previously selected will be allowed to testify orally. However, people attending are invited to write down their comments either in advance of the meeting or in a room provided at the hearing and submit those, Petrocine said. "The (tentative) plan is to relocate or close the inpatient beds at White City," Petrocine said. "After the CARES commission received the testimony, it will make a recommendation to the VA secretary. "He will make a decision based on that recommendation before the end of this calendar year," he added. Two members of the VA’s Capitol Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services commission based in Washington, D.C., and three staff members will conduct Friday’s hearing. Commission members also will tour the center that day. During the hearing, each speaker will have five minutes to address the commission, Petrocine said. A question-and-answer period will follow. The speakers represent a wide array of society, from educators and elected officials to veterans groups, he said. "We picked folks who could give us a broad spectrum of experience (with the facility)," he said, later adding, "We believe this public hearing will have an impact on the process." Patterned after congressional hearings, the session will have a limited number of speakers because of time constraints, officials said. Hundreds of veterans and their families opposed to reducing services at the center are expected to attend the hearing. The possible closure of the inpatient services at the domiciliary has been opposed by local veterans as well as U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Gordon Smith, R-Ore., and U.S. Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore. Walden has been credited for insisting the VA hold a hearing in Medford. A similar hearing was held Sept. 19 in Vancouver, Wash., and another on Monday in Walla Walla, Wash., for centers in those areas. The VA announced in July that the center is one of 30 nationwide under consideration for closure or significant change in services. In the case of the White City center, the agency is considering expanding outpatient services in addition to closing the inpatient department. There are slightly more than 500 inpatients with more than 8,000 outpatients at the domiciliary, which is more than half a century old. The White City center was added to the national list in part because a study two years ago concluded the brick buildings wouldn’t hold up well in an earthquake, according to VA officials. Reach reporter Paul Fattig at 776-4496 or e-mail him at [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times