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PRESS RELEASE

VA New England Healthcare System to Realign

Facilities in Central and Western Massachusetts

BEDFORD, Mass. - VA New England Healthcare System plans to realign the facilities

of central and western Massachusetts into one entity, aimed at providing a regional

approach to healthcare and improving the current services for Veterans living in

that part of the state.

VA facilities in central and western Massachusetts are currently managed by three

different facilities and Veterans endure long travel times to care in Boston,

Connecticut and Vermont. The Fitchburg and Worcester Community Based

Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) will realign with Northampton VA Medical Center and the

outpatient clinics in Springfield, Greenfield and Pittsfield, creating an integratedhealthcare system to serve Veterans in those areas. The Fitchburg and Worcester

CBOCs are currently aligned with Bedford VA Medical Center and Boston VA

Healthcare System respectively.

 The proposed new healthcare system will improve access to specialty care for

Veterans by making services available closer to home. October 1, 2011 is the

earliest possible date for the realignment implementation.

VA New England Healthcare System is also in talks to strengthen its academic

affiliation with University of Massachusetts (UMass) Medical School. Strong

academic affiliations have helped VA Medical Centers across the country providethe most up-to-date care, as well as recruit and retain talented physicians. UMass

Medical School is a respected and growing institution and an affiliation will enhance

VA services in this area.

In July 2010, VA New England Healthcare System discussed a potential realignment

with patients, Veteran Service Organizations, employees, members of the

Massachusetts Congressional delegation and the state’s Department of Veterans’

Services. The response from these stakeholders was both positive and supportive of 

the change.

“We are extremely thankful to those that provided feedback this summer on apotential realignment,” said Michael Mayo-Smith, MD, MPH, VA New England

Healthcare System Network Director. “This alignment will make VA’s world-class

healthcare more accessible to a patient population who both need and certainly

deserve it.”

Veterans who prefer to keep their specialty providers at the more distant sites will

be allowed to keep these arrangements and existing shuttles between the sites will

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remain intact. Employees will also see new opportunities for jobs, training and

participating in research.

 To find out more about the realignment, contact Kathleen Cosgrove at 781-687-

4765 or kathleen.cosgrove@va.gov or visit http://www.newengland.va.gov/.

About VA New England Healthcare System

VA New England Healthcare System is one of 21 Veterans Integrated Service

Networks (VISNs) within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Services are

provided through primary care supported by eight Joint Commission accredited

medical centers. The Healthcare System is located throughout the six New England

states - Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and

Connecticut. VISN 1 has over 35 Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs), six

nursing homes and two domiciliaries.