VA reviewing millions spent outside the agency on care in Phoenix

Oct 24 2011

The Arizona Republic reports that the Veterans Administration is looking into spending after noting that the system had surpassed its budget for community fee care.

Arizona Republic: VA Fees For Care Lead To Inquiry
The Veterans Administration has launched an internal review of its Phoenix system after discovering that millions of dollars were overspent on health care for veterans at non-VA facilities in metro Phoenix. VA representatives said they discovered last year that the Phoenix VA Health Care System had surpassed its budget for community fee care and initiated a review of the program (Alltucker, 10/22).

Meanwhile in other hospital news, a Denver facility adds special services for seniors.

Denver Post: Denver Hospital Adds Separate ER That Caters To Elderly
If you needed more proof that the population is aging fast, here it comes: Exempla Lutheran Medical Center has transformed a pediatrics area into the state's first emergency room dedicated to senior citizens. A hushed atmosphere, softer lighting, no-slip floors and staffers trained to screen for dementia, drug interactions and other elderly risks are sample features of the Lutheran Senior ER, launched this week. The primary aim is to cut through the chaos marking even the best ERs at major hospitals (Booth, 10/22).