Department of Veterans Affairs
Office of Public Affairs
Media relations
Washington, DC 20420

News release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 3, 2003

VA and DoD Select Eight Medical Demonstration Sites

WASHINGTON -- The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced the selection of eight medical sites to participate in demonstrations with nearby Department of Defense (DoD) medical facilities. These demonstrations will test the capabilities of the two departments to provide a seamless delivery of benefits and services to military members and veterans by sharing information and other efficiencies.

"This is an important step toward reaching President Bush's goal of improving service to our active duty and veteran populations by enhancing our ability to work together," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi. "It's an example of our joint efforts to knock down the walls between our two departments."

Mandated by the Fiscal Year 2003 National Defense Authorization Act, the demonstrations will test three separate areas: budget and financial management; staffing and assignment; and medical information and information technology systems.

"These demonstration projects reflect the determination and desire by those in both the military and VA health care systems to improve the delivery of care for our beneficiaries," said Dr. William Winkenwerder Jr., assistant secretary of defense for health affairs. He explained that the demonstrations will "enhance the quality, efficiency and effectiveness for the delivery of benefits and services to veterans, service members, military retirees and their families."

The DoD/VA Health Executive Council selected the sites from a list of hospitals that volunteered to participate. These projects will operate through Fiscal Year 2007.

The budget and financial management demonstrations will be conducted at:

· Tripler Army Medical Center and VA Pacific Islands Health Care System, Hawaii;

and

· Air Force 3rd Medical Group and Alaska VA Health Care System in Anchorage, Alaska.

Staffing and assignment demonstrations will be at the following locations:

· Madigan Army Medical Center and Puget Sound VA Health Care System, Seattle/Tacoma;

· Eisenhower Army Medical Center and Augusta VA Health Care System, Augusta, Ga.; 

and

· Langley Air Force Base 1st Medical Group and Hampton VA Medical Center, Hampton, Va.

The medical information and information technology systems will be tested at:

· Madigan Army Medical Center and the Puget Sound VA Health Care System, Seattle/Tacoma;

· William Beaumont Army Medical Center and El Paso VA Health Care System, El Paso, Texas; 

and

· Air Force Wilford Hall, Brooke Army Medical Centers and South Texas VA Health Care System, San Antonio.

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