Last week, the Northport Veterans Affairs Medical Center’s Asset and Infrastructure Review Commission announced it has abandoned its initial plan to eliminate inpatient emergency and rehabilitation services.

Assemblyman Keith P. Brown (R,C-Northport) wrote a letter this past March urging Gov. Kathy Hochul to takeimmediate action regarding the future of Northport VA hospital on Long Island. In his letter, Assemblyman Brown requested the governor hold public hearings to obtain public input from local community members and discuss alternative solutions. Long Island is home to at least 100,000 veterans.Eliminating inpatient emergency and urgent care services would have forced patients to St. Albans in New York City.

“Our veterans have sacrificed so much to preserve the freedom and liberties we enjoy today as a nation. We should be doing everything to improve and expand veteran health care services — not eliminate them,” said Brown. “It's time we return the favor by fighting for their hard-earned medical benefits, and that’s what we did.”