CARES (Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services) is a study of the nation's largest health care system, operated by the federal Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The draft plan's goals were to find savings and reinvest them. This plan would affect three current veterans' administration hospitals in New York State, Canandaigua VA Medical Center, Montrose VA Medical Center and Manhattan VA Medical Center.

Under the CARES Draft plan the Canandaigua VA Medical Center would close. The plan would shift about 200 inpatients and thousands of outpatients to VA facilities in Bath, Batavia, Buffalo and Syracuse. The Montrose VA hospital would be reduced to an outpatient clinic. Its inpatients, psychiatric units, nursing home and other programs would be moved to the VA hospital at Castle Point in Dutchess County. The Manhattan VA Medical Center would shift 378 inpatient beds to the Brooklyn VA Medical Center. Some outpatient services at Manhattan would also be shifted.

Individual veterans and veterans' organizations have expressed serious concerns that these changes would have a severely adverse impact on the health care of veterans who live in New York State. It is arguable that the impact of this plan would fall most heavily on those veterans least able to bear the cost of more difficult access to health care.

Oral testimony is by invitation only. Ten copies of any prepared testimony should be submitted at the hearing registration desk. The Committees would appreciate advance receipt of prepared statements.

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the Assembly, in accordance with its policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Assembly facilities and activities.

SELECTED RECENT CONCERNS TO WHICH WITNESSES MAY DIRECT THEIR TESTIMONY:

1. New York State is split into two Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs), VISN 2 and VISN 3. Does the draft CARES plan adequately address the current and future health care needs of veterans in each of the VISNs or should some other health care plan be developed?
2. The mission of the VA health care system is to provide quality health care to veterans. Does this draft CARES plan change the mission of the VA?
3. If the draft CARES plan is implemented, what effect will it have on the veterans in New York State?
4. If the CARES draft plan is rejected by the Secretary of Veterans' Affairs, will this adversely affect the veterans of New York State?
5. What steps can be taken to ensure that veterans are able to obtain the best health care available?