Togus to get $4.7 million under increased VA health allocation

WASHINGTON – The Veterans Affairs Medical and Regional Office Center at Togus will receive another $4.7 million in funding thanks to an additional allocation in the New England region by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

The extra money was requested by members of the New England congressional delegation last month.

“This additional funding will enable Togus to continue providing its excellent level of health care while also making progress on issues of largest concern to veterans – reducing the waiting time for appointments and hiring additional staff,” said Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins and Reps. John Baldacci and Tom Allen in a joint statement. “We are very pleased that the VA has supported this additional funding for Maine and our region.”

In January, New England’s Senate delegation urged Acting VA Secretary Hershel Gober to approve $54 million in additional funding for the region as requested by the regional director, Dr. Jeanette Chirico-Post. In making the request, Chirico-Post said the funding would permit facilities in the region to maintain their normal operations, because increasing health care costs were offsetting the VA’s cost-saving efforts. On Jan. 11, the VA announced its decision to provide the funds to the region.

“As our regional VA system works to improve efficiency, we need to ensure strong funding to avoid putting veterans’ health care in jeopardy. This additional funding for Maine’s VA health system will help assure that veterans in New England receive high-quality health care,” said Maine’s delegation.