Town Of Islip Officials Say No To Northport VA Cuts

ISLIP, NY — As state-wide leaders take a stand against proposed cuts to services at the Northport VA Hospital, local politicians are standing beside them.

Town of Islip officials announced on Tuesday that they are calling upon the US Department of Veterans Affair's plan and to immediately restore the hospital's full funding.

“These brave men and women, many of whom went to war representing our country and defending our freedom," said Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter, "some suffering from physical and emotional disabilities including debilitating PTSD as a result, deserve the same quality healthcare we would want for our own loved ones.”

According to a report in Newsday, the Northport VA would close its emergency room, shift medical and surgical services to local hospitals and transition its residential rehabilitation program to Southeast Queens — among other actions — if the plan were to take place.

Councilman John Cochrane said in a statement that he is "deeply upset" about the plan, and it is "truly a shame and travesty" to cut critical services to veterans.

“Nassau and Suffolk Counties have the largest number of Veterans that frequent and are dependent upon Northport VA Hospital," said Cochrane. "The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs should reconsider their decision, and keep the Northport VA Hospital without any cuts to continue to provide the critical services to our deserving veterans.”

Councilwoman Mary Kate Mullen also stated that there are more than 100,000 veterans who live on Long Island that rely on the hospital for services.

“We have the highest concentration of veterans in the nation and even suggesting cuts is an offense and slap in the face of our men and women who have served our country," said Councilman Jorge Guadrón. "We demand that more money be allocated to our Northport VA Hospital to improve services in many needed areas.”