DeMAIO, MENTO, DEVLIN: WASHINGTON HEALTH CARE DEBATE SHOULD INCLUDE VETERANS HOSPITAL AT KESSLER

Converting Kessler Hospital in Hammonton into a facility for veterans is a proposal that federal and state officials like Senator Jeff Van Drew and Senator Jim Whelan have been exploring in the months since the hospital shut down on March 12, 2009.  However, incumbent politicians Jim Curcio and Frank Giordano have been noticeably absent from the effort that would most benefit Atlantic County ’s veterans and unemployed health professionals.

“Any comprehensive proposal on health care reform out of Washington should address the needs of our growing and aging veterans population,” said Freeholder At Large candidate Angelo DeMaio, a career firefighter.  “Ignoring the veterans population during this critical debate on health care would be unacceptable.”

“Atlantic County veterans have significant challenges in accessing the VA Health System that they shouldn’t have to face,” said Second District Freeholder candidate John Devlin, who is a former United States Marine.  “These are the people who put their lives on the line for our nation and our freedom.  They should not be forced to skip medical appointments and defer procedures because the VA hospital is 60 miles away from home.  It is a travesty.”

“This would be an ideal way to provide needed health care services to our veterans, while putting some of the 450 health care professionals laid off by Kessler back to work,” said Fifth District Freeholder candidate Sam Mento, a union carpenter, blueberry farmer, and lifelong Hammonton resident.  “So much good could be accomplished if our county officials joined in the effort to make this proposal a reality.”

The candidates support the Kessler site as the ideal location for a regional veterans hospital, given its previous use as a healthcare facility, easy access by train, bus, or car from major arteries like the AC Expressway, State Route 30 and Route 206 that run directly through town, and access to the local pool of over 450 health professionals who became unemployed when Kessler closed its doors.  

Under current Veterans Administration rules, Atlantic County veterans are served by the VA Hospital in Delaware .  As such, veterans must travel 60 miles to attend routine and medically necessary doctors’ appointments.  Transportation is only provided to the patients themselves, adding additional strain to veterans whose spouses and children are hindered in visiting or attending appointments with their loved ones because of the long distance.

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