NORTH HILLS : Veterans Protest Cuts in Hospital Programs

L.A. Times Archives

Dec. 8, 1994 12 AM PT

Waving American flags and hand-made signs, about 50 veterans gathered Wednesday outside the Sepulveda Veterans Affairs Medical Center to protest cuts in substance abuse and psychiatric programs made after the stately, red-brick complex was badly damaged in the Northridge earthquake.

VA officials last winter decided to demolish Sepulveda’s 431-bed hospital rather than spend an estimated $188 million to rebuild it. The hospital emergency room was closed and a number of in-patient programs were transferred to the bigger VA medical center in West Los Angeles.

For the record:

12:00 a.m. Dec. 10, 1994 For the Record
Los Angeles Times Saturday December 10, 1994 Valley Edition Metro Part B Page 3 Column 5 Zones Desk 2 inches; 44 words Type of Material: Correction
Veterans hospital--Because of an editing error, The Times incorrectly reported Thursday what will happen to the Sepulveda Veterans Administration Medical Center as a result of earthquake damage. The 431-bed hospital building will be torn down, but most of the other 50 structures at the complex will remain.

The Department of Veterans Affairs plans to replace Sepulveda’s hospital with a $53-million ambulatory care center that will offer a range of medical services, including outpatient surgery. Another $48 million will be spent on seismic improvements and repair work at Sepulveda.

But many San Fernando Valley veterans complain that it is hard for them to get to West Los Angeles and that the care is not as good there. They also worry that lives may be jeopardized by the lack of full emergency services at Sepulveda.

Veterans Affairs officials at both medical centers insisted that no one’s health has been damaged or jeopardized by the changes.

After the quake, Sepulveda’s in-patient programs in mental health and drug and alcohol abuse were transferred to West Los Angeles.