VA Health Care: Need for Brevard Hospital Not Justified
HEHS-95-192
Published: Aug 29, 1995. Publicly Released: Aug 29, 1995.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) plans to provide accessible medical and other services to veterans in East Central Florida, focusing on: (1) VA acquisition of the former Orlando Naval Hospital; (2) whether the conversion of the hospital to a nursing home is the most economical use of VA resources; and (3) whether more prudent and economical options exist to meet VA service delivery goals for Florida veterans.
Recommendations
Matter for Congressional Consideration
| Matter | Status | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Congress should deny the VA request for funds to construct a new hospital and nursing home in Brevard County, Florida. Instead, Congress should direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop a lower-cost alternative that reflects a network planning strategy. | In VA's fiscal year 1996 appropriation, Congress did not approve funding for VA to build a new VA hospital and nursing home in Brevard County, Florida. By its action, Congress, in effect, compelled VA to develop an alternative to building a new hospital, within its existing resources. |
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Veterans Affairs | In regard to a lower-cost alternative, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs should consider using available beds at the former Orlando Naval Hospital, converting unused medical and surgical beds at existing hospitals for psychiatric use, and purchasing care in community nursing homes when beds are unavailable in existing VA nursing homes. |
VA's Florida network director considered this option during the development of its strategic plan for meeting veterans health care needs.
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Topics
Community health servicesCost effectiveness analysisEvaluation methodsGovernment facility constructionHealth care cost controlHealth care planningHealth resources utilizationMental health care servicesNursing homesVeterans hospitals