The Chillicothe (Ohio) VA Medical Center will remain open and its services have returned to pre-COVID-19 levels, the Marietta Times reported Dec. 9.
Alan Graves, the hospital's executive director of public affairs, said there was a time when closure was thought to be a possibility, according to the report. He said the Asset and Infrastructure Review Commission "nixed that approach" and said the hospital will not close and be replaced with an outpatient facility.
"Our community and neighboring ones fought diligently on that not happening," Mr. Graves told the outlet in response to a Dec. 7 article regarding concerns from Ross County commissioners and Army veterans James Booth and Shannon Miller. The commissioners were upset by an AIR commissioner pronouncement that the Chillicothe facility was being considered for closure and services had been reduced, particularly for mental health.
Mr. Graves said there are more mental health services than before because of an increase in medical assessment teams dealing with drug and alcohol abuse and said there are no cuts on the horizon.