COLUMBUS, Ohio – To improve access to health care for veterans in Columbus, Ohio, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has signed a $21 million contract with OhioHealth to offer inpatient care and some specialty outpatient care to veterans.
“VA is committed to ensuring our veterans have world-class health care,” said the Honorable R. James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs. “This decision represents another important step toward enhancing access to health care for veterans in central Ohio.”
Nicholson was joined in his announcement by Rep. Deborah Pryce (R-15th), Rep. Patrick J. Tiberi (R-12th) and Rep. David L. Hobson (R-7th).
Under terms of a four-year, $20.7 million contract, OhioHealth will provide urgent and emergency inpatient care and some specialized outpatient services for veterans using the VA’s Chalmers P. Wylie Outpatient Clinic.
About 300 veterans are expected to be hospitalized at OhioHealth’s Riverside Hospital during the first year of the contract. VA’s outpatient facility in Columbus treats about 30,000 veterans each year, accounting for 300,000 outpatient visits.
In May 2004, VA announced plans to build a new outpatient clinic in Columbus on 20 acres formerly part of the Defense Department’s Defense Supply Center. Ground was broken for the new facility in September 2005, with construction for the new outpatient clinic scheduled to be finished by the spring of 2008.
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